Doctors used to drain blood out of my knees before and after every match: Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar was one of those fast bowlers who could not only crank up to high pace but he had the ability to send tremors down the opposition batsmen’s spine. Akhtar’s ability to bowl at a mind-boggling pace and that too consistently was remarkable. He played 224 international matches for Pakistan and picked up 444 wickets across all three formats.

However, his career was plagued by injuries. It is no secret that the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ had constant knee troubles and he played through pain. However, almost a decade after finishing his international career he made a painful revelation about his career. He revealed that doctors used to drain blood out of his knees before and after every match. Also, the Rawalpindi fast bowler was told that he will be able to play for just two years after making his debut.

“I was taken to the doctors after my first Test match and they told me I had about two years remaining. Doctors used to drain blood out of my knees before and after every match, fellow cricketers used to think that I was off to some club when in reality I would be at the hospital getting injected by four syringes,” Shoaib Akhtar revealed on his YouTube channel which has over 1.5 million subscribers.

However, he defied life and played through pain. Akhtar went on to play about 14 years of international cricket. He made his international debut in a Test match against West Indies on his home ground. He last donned the Pakistan jersey in the 2011 World Cup.

Shoaib Akhtar to undergo a knee surgery

The former Pakistan pacer also revealed that he will be undergoing knee surgery. The surgery is scheduled to take place in Australia next week. The knee replacement operation will help him finally get rid of the pain that has been troubling him all his life.

“After 22 years, my knee will finally be fixed. The doctors are going to replace my right knee,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.  He further added that it will be the first time in his life that his knees will be pain-free.