Happy Birthday Shoaib Akhtar: Took banned drugs, threw bottle into the crowd - 6 BIG controversies of Ex-Pakistan pacer, IN PICS

In his autobiography, Akhtar claimed that Sachin was scared of him. He wrote that Sachin was scared to face his pace even on a slow Faisalabad pitch in 2006. He was slammed by Tendulkar fans who wanted an apology from Akhtar but the Pakistan pacer did not say sorry. 

Shoaib Akhtar has been suspended not once, but twice by ICC for tampering with the ball. In fact, in 2010, he was caught red-handed while meddling with the ball in the ODI vs England at Rose Bowl. He later made another controversial statement, saying ball tampering was normal practice in international cricket and not only Pakistan bowlers but also internationally it was being done. 

Shoaib Akhtar remains the fastest bowler ever with the speed of 161.3 kmh achieved during a game vs England in 2003 World Cup. However, he has been reported twice for a suspected bowling action as well. In May this year, Virender Sehwag took potshots at him, saying that Akhtarused to chuck after which the Pakistan pacer requested former India batter to speak only if he knew the facts.

Akhtar was a man with a lot of temper. He would lose cool easily during his playing days. In 2011, he fought with Mohammad Asif in dressing room. He was also banned by PCB for five years for disciplinary issues. That decision was overturned eventually but it somewhat pushed him to retire. 

The Rawalpindi Express was suspended from the Champions Trophy 2006 after he tested positive for nandrolone, a steorid that was banned by IOA in 1976. He was banned for two years.

In 2002, he was hit by a brick on the tour of Bangladesh. An injured Akhtar had to miss the tour. Later that year, he himself threw a bottle into the crow on the tour of Zimbabwe, facing a ban again.