Wasim in ODI dream team

Wasim Akram was picked among all-time One-Day International dream team announced by International Cricket Council.

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram was picked among the all-time One-Day International (ODI) dream team announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC). To mark the 40th anniversary of the first ODI, fans from 97 countries casted their votes on the ICC website for what they consider to be the all-time team in the format.

Almost 600,000 votes by fans were casted on the website between December 22 and January 2 to make their views known as to who have been the best ODI players of the past 40 years in the key categories of opening batsmen, middle-order batsmen, wicket-keeper, spin bowlers and fast bowlers.

Three players from Australia and India, two from the West Indies and one each from South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have made the final dream eleven with another Australian named as 12th man.

Dream match

The momentous “438” game between South Africa and Australia in Johannesburg in 2006 has been voted the best ODI yet. Supporters had the chance to select the dream team from a shortlist of 48 players in different categories and they could pick their favourite game from a choice of 10 memorable matches. The match they chose was a run-fest in Johannesburg’s famous Wanderers Stadium in March 2006.

Batting first, Australia made a record 434 for four in 50 overs before South Africa miraculously chased down the target.

The first ever ODI was played between Australia and England on January 5, 1971 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2011.