Shoaib Akhtar, a former fast bowler for Pakistan, announced on Saturday (January 21) that he will not be appearing in the upcoming biopic “The Rawalpindi Express.” Akhtar explained on Twitter that he had made this difficult decision due to the “failure to resolve disagreements amicably and constant contractual violations.”
“Very sadly, I would like to inform all of you that after careful consideration of months, I have decided to dissociate myself from the film Rawalpindi Express & its makers by terminating the agreement through my management and legal team. Definitely, it was a dream project and I tried a lot to prevent and stay in the boat but unfortunately, things were not going well,” Shoaib said in a note posted on his Twitter account.
“Failure to resolve disagreements amicably and constant contractual violations finally resulted in us cutting ties with them. Therefore, I have left the project after complying with all legal protocols of revoking the rights to the story of my life. Severe legal action will be taken if the makers continue to make biography film and use my name and life story events in any way” he added.
Important announcement. pic.twitter.com/P7zTnTK1C0
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 21, 2023
The world’s fastest delivery, recorded by Shoaib Akhtar against England in the 2003 World Cup at 161.3 km/h, was sufficient to frighten the finest hitters of the era. Over the course of his 163 ODI appearances, Akhtar collected 247 wickets at a remarkable average of 24.97. He also had a deadly red ball, taking 178 wickets at a strike rate of 25.69 from 46 Test matches, including 12 five-wicket hauls.
Shoaib published a motion poster for the movie, often referred to as the Rawalpindi Express, in July of last year. “Beginning of this beautiful journey. Announcing the launch of my story, my life, my Biopic, “RAWALPINDI EXPRESS – Running against the odds” You’re in for a ride you’ve never taken before. First foreign film about a Pakistani Sportsman. Controversially yours, Shoaib Akhtar” – Akhtar had tweeted back then.