5 most devastating fast-bowling spells in Test cricket

#2 Aussies blown away by Shoaib Akhtar, Colombo, 2002

Shoaib Akhtar v Australia

When Shoaib Akhtar was in the mood, he could be absolutely unplayable irrespective of the nature of the pitch. His raw pace and swing were good enough to simply blast batsmen out but unleashing such thunder against the best side in the world is quite another thing altogether.

Having conceded a 188-run first innings lead, Pakistan needed to dismiss Australia for a low score but it was not going their way. The Aussies were completely at ease with the scoreboard reading 74-1 and Hayden and Ponting playing comfortably, that is until Shoaib bowled that 8-over spell.

Ponting played one on to his stumps but Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne were blasted out by Akhtar as Australia went from 74-1 to 89-7. Akhtar had done his job, helping Pakistan dismiss Australia for 127 but they somehow contrived to lose the Test by 41 runs.