Wasim Akram one shy of a half-century

The Express Tribune pays tribute to the legendary left-arm bowler on his 49th birthday

KARACHI: No words can describe the greatness of Wasim Akram except that he was simply the best left-arm fast bowler of all time. Born in Lahore 49-years ago today, the prodigiously gifted cricketer gate-crashed his way to Test cricket merely months after he was introduced to the game.

In only his second Test, Wasim snapped ten wickets against a bemused New Zealand team. A five-for against Australia at the MCG was his first major impact in ODIs, just days after the Test heroics.

Wasim continued his ascent to greatness and finally engraved his name in cricketing folklore through a magical all-round performance in the 1992 World Cup final.

Before the World Cup, Wasim took on the mighty Australians in the 1989 series recording a ten-wicket haul in the first Test before pulling Pakistan out of the mire and almost a certain defeat with a magnificent second innings hundred at the Adelaide Oval — the venue for the second Test of the series.

Wasim was named Pakistan captain no less than three times and his tenure from the 1996 World Cup to the turn of the millennium brought rich success. Pakistan whitewashed the mighty West Indians 3-0 in a Test series at home besides reaching the top of ODI rankings after a spate of wins in multi-nation and bilateral tournaments.

Match-fixing allegations remain a blot on his otherwise incredible career; however, his legendary skills with the bat and the ball earned him a richly deserved space in ICC’s Hall of Fame.

Wasim left the game after Pakistan was unceremoniously dumped out of the World Cup in 2003, but during the tournament he went past the 500 ODI wickets mark — the first one ever to reach the milestone.

Wasim ended up with a colossal tally of 916 international wickets for Pakistan, easily the highest across both formats for the country.

Some incredible performances of Wasim Akram

1. World Cup 1992 Final

Wasim bowls Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis on two consecutive balls rated two of the best balls ever in ODI cricket.



2. Wasim Akram Hat-tricks

The great left-armer is the only bowler in the world to bag two hat-tricks in each Test and ODI cricket.



3. 257 not out against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura

The great Wasim could wield the willow like a goldsmith if the need be. An innings of 257* against Zimbabwe to save a Test at Sheikhupura in 1996 is considered as one his best knocks apart from his bowling miracles. The video highlights his batting prowess.



4. Breaks the Indian 'Wall' in Chennai in 1999

Wasim Akram played a key role in Pakistan dramatic victory over India at Chennai in 1999. He bowled Rahul Dravid with a delivery which is still rated as one of the best ever delivered in Test cricket.



5. Pairing up with Waqar Younis to destroy England

Wasim Akram was named the joint man of the series with Waqar Younis in 1992 Test series win over England for his spell-bounding bowling.