Shane Watson, AB de Villiers recall facing Shoaib Akhtar

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson and ex-South African skipper AB de Villers have recalled facing the world's fastest pacer Shoaib Akhtar.

Cricket Australia (CA) had shared a video of Shoaib Akhtar, celebrating the 20th anniversary of becoming the first-ever speedster to clock 100mph. He bowled the searing thunderbolt to Craig McMillan in an ODI in Lahore on April 27, 2002.

In a video, Shoaib Akhtar bowled a sharp bouncer to Shane Watson in an ODI in 2002. Watson replied to CA's tweet appreciating Akhtar.

"What a way to spend my 21st birthday!! 😳😳😳, Shoaib Akhtar was so good and so bloody fast!"

What a way to spend my 21st birthday!! 😳😳😳@shoaib100mph was so good and so bloody fast!! https://t.co/gW0x1qUDdV

— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) April 27, 2022

AB de Villiers also shared his opinion by revealing that he still gets nightmares.

Oh man! I still get nightmares 😂

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) April 28, 2022

It must be noted that Akhtar was termed as 'Rawalpindi Express’ and the fastest pacer the world has ever seen. He clocked 100 mph twice in his career.

He played 46 Tests taking 178 wickets, 247 wickets in 163 ODIs, and 19 wickets in 15 T20Is.