Shoaib Akhtar Net Worth

What is Shoaib Akhtar's Net Worth and Salary?

Shoaib Akhtar, a former Pakistani cricketer, has a net worth of $8 million. Akhtar made history as the first bowler to be recorded bowling at 100 miles per hour. Despite his remarkable achievements, his career was marred by numerous controversies related to inappropriate professional conduct, leading to multiple bans from cricket.

Early Life

Shoaib Akhtar was born on August 13, 1975, in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan, to Mohammad and Hameeda. His father was a night watchman at a gas station owned by the Attock oil refinery. Akhtar is the youngest of four sons and has one younger sister.

Career Beginnings

Akhtar initially enrolled at Asghar Mall College but chose to attend trials for Pakistan International Airlines' cricket team instead. He began his List A career in the 1993-94 season and his first-class career in the 1994-95 season. His impressive performances caught the attention of Pakistan Cricket Board chief executive Majid Khan, earning Akhtar his maiden Test match against the West Indies in 1997.

International Playing

Akhtar debuted internationally in his native Rawalpindi during the 1997-98 season. By 1999, he had established himself as a top performer, including a notable eight-wicket haul in the Asian Test Championship against India. Although he experienced a poor performance in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, he regained form in subsequent series against New Zealand and England, even becoming the highest wicket-taker in a three-Test home series against England in 2005. Despite a 13-match ban in 2007, he returned to contribute to the team, eventually playing in the 2011 World Cup.

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Domestic Playing

Akhtar's domestic career included stints with English county cricket clubs Somerset, Durham, and Worcestershire between 2001 and 2005. His notable performances include taking five wickets for 35 runs for Durham and six wickets for 16 runs for Worcestershire in the National League. Additionally, he played for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

Drug Scandal and Other Controversies

In 2006, Akhtar was suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board after testing positive for nandrolone, a banned substance. Although initially banned for two years, he was later acquitted on appeal. Akhtar’s career was filled with other controversies, including ball tampering in 2003, multiple bans for misconduct, and a five-year ban in 2008 for violating the player's code of conduct.

Other Endeavors

After retiring from international cricket in 2011, Akhtar published his autobiography, "Controversially Yours," co-authored with Indian journalist Anshu Dogra. He also served as a judge on the Hindi reality TV show "Mazaak Mazaak Mein" in 2016 and hosted the Urdu program "Geo Khelo Pakistan" in 2017. Akhtar runs a YouTube channel where he shares his insights on cricket matches.