‘I was crippled, I couldn’t walk’: Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar reveals incredible Childhood Miracle

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In Pakistan, cricket is more than just a sport-it is a passion, a legacy, a religion. And among the pantheon of cricketing greats, fast bowlers are the nation's heroes.

Children dream of emulating the sheer pace of Wasim Akram, the swing of Waqar Younis, and the aura of Imran Khan. But in the late 1990s, a new storm was brewing, a force of nature that would redefine raw speed in cricket. That storm was Shoaib Akhtar.

And the great fast bowler revealed a massive moment of his life, which was nothing short of a miracle. In Netflix's The Great Rivalry show, Shoaib recently spoke about how a saint used to come to his house and confirm to his family that one of their family members would become famous.

"In Pakistan, our heroes are fast bowlers. People want to be like Waseem Bakar. People want to be like Imran Khan. A saint used to come to our house. He said that one guy who will come in our family who will make a name in the world. The whole world will recognize him," Shoaib said at the Netflix show.

And then the former Pakistan speedster shared a shocking truth about his childhood. Shoaib shared that he was unable to walk in the early years of his life, but suddenly, his locomotory struggle vanished and the player started running at the age on nine.

"She [Shoaib's mom] told me, when I was born, I was crippled. I could not walk. But you know, something miracle happened and I started running. At the age of nine. I was running as quick as light," Akhtar added.

Shoaib was known as Rawalpindi Express as he belonged from that place. And he says on his first day to the trials, he had no money and told the bus conductor to give him a free ride as he would become famous one day.

"There is a bus that goes to Lahore. Takes about 10 hours to get there. I told the conductor, I don't have the money. I need to get to Lahore. I need to get to the trials. I will make my first-class debut and I will become a star. The journey started onwards from there," he continued.

Shoaib also shared that his first trip to Lahore made him sit on the roof of the bus, but it was the beginning of his greatness. Shoaib Akhtar's career was filled with breathtaking spells, unforgettable moments, and, unfortunately, injuries that plagued his body. But his legacy remains untouched.