Former Pakistan storm bowler Shoaib Akhtar has recalled his debut for Kolkata Knight Riders in the first edition of IPL in the year 2008. This was the year in the Indian Premier League when Pakistani cricketers played for the first and last time. Akhtar was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders which was captained by Sourav Ganguly while the head coach of the team was John Buchanan.

Shoaib Akhtar has shared an anecdote saying that before his IPL debut, head coach John Buchanan was not sure that the fast bowler was fit to play the match. Rawalpindi Express has shared the opinion of Sourav Ganguly in this matter. Akhtar said, when I joined the KKR camp and did not play the match, I was feeling banned. John Buchanan told Sourav Ganguly that I don't think Shoaib is fit. In response to this question, Ganguly had said that Akhtar is always unfit, don't worry about him, he will be fine even if he is half unfit.

Had to wait for 8 matches
Shoaib Akhtar, popularly known as Rawalpindi Express, had to wait for 8 matches to make his IPL debut. After this, he played the first match of IPL against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). In this match, Shoaib took 4 wickets for 11 runs while bowling. Due to this, the team Delhi Capitals was bundled out for 110 runs. In this match, KKR won by 23 runs. The 4 wickets that Akhtar took in this match included Virender Sehwag, AB de Villiers, Manoj Tiwary, and Gautam Gambhir.

Akhtar became player of the match
Shoaib Akhtar was adjudged the player of the match for his excellent bowling the match. Team owner Shahrukh Khan gave him a golden helmet. In the auction of the first edition of the Indian Premier League, KKR bought Shoaib Akhtar for Rs 3.2 crore. Shoaib Akhtar played three matches in IPL 2008 and took 5 wickets.