Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram
وسیم اکرم‬
Personal information
Full name Wasim Akram
Born (1966-06-03) 3 June 1966
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Nickname Sultan of Swing (along with Waqar Younis)
Batting Left handed
Bowling Left arm fast
Role Bowling all-rounder
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 102) 25 January 1985 v New Zealand
Last Test 9 January 2002 v Bangladesh
ODI debut (cap 53) 23 November 1984 v New Zealand
Last ODI 4 March 2003 v Zimbabwe
ODI shirt no. 13 (was 12,13 and 1 as captain)
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2003 Hampshire
1992–2002 PIA
1988–1998 Lancashire
1985–1987, 1997–1998, 2000–2001 Lahore
1984–1986 Pakistan Automobiles Corporation
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 104 356 257 594
Runs scored 2,898 3,717 7,161 6,993
Batting average 22.64 16.52 22.73 18.90
100s/50s 3/7 0/6 7/24 0/17
Top score 257* 86 257* 89*
Balls bowled 22,627 18,186 50,278 29,719
Wickets 414 502 1,042 881
Bowling average 23.62 23.52 21.64 21.91
5 wickets in innings 25 6 70 12
10 wickets in match 5 0 16 0
Best bowling 7/119 5/15 8/30 5/10
Catches/stumpings 44/– 88/– 97/– 147/–
Source: ESPNCricinfo, 4 April 2012

Wasim Akram (Urdu: وسیم اکرم‬‎; born 3 June 1966) is a retired Pakistani cricketer, cricket commentator and television personality. He is acknowledged as one of the greatest bowlers of all time.[1][2][3][4] A left-arm fast bowler who could bowl with significant pace, he represented the Pakistan cricket team in Test cricket and One Day International (ODI) matches. In October 2013, Wasim Akram was the only Pakistani cricketer to be named in an all-time Test World XI to mark the 150th anniversary of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack.[5][6][7][8]

Akram is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of game, and perhaps the finest of all left-arm fast bowlers. He holds the world record for most wickets in List A cricket, with 881, and he is second only to Sri Lankan off-spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of ODI wickets, with 502 in total. He is considered to be one of the founders—and perhaps the finest exponent of—reverse swing bowling.[9][10][11]

He was the first bowler to reach the 500-wicket mark in ODI cricket during the 2003 World Cup. In 2002, Wisden released its only list of best players of all time. Wasim was ranked as the best bowler in ODI of all time, with a rating of 1223.5, ahead of Allan Donald, Imran Khan, Waqar Younis, Joel Garner, Glenn McGrath and Muralitharan.[12] Wasim has taken 23 four-wicket hauls in ODI in 356 matches he played.[9] On 30 September 2009, Akram was one of five new members inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.[13][14] He was the bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders.[15] However, he took a break from the position for IPL 6, citing a need to spend more time with family in Karachi,[16] and he took a further break from the upcoming IPL 2017; during this time, Akram will be replaced by Lakshmipathy Balaji.

He was working as director and bowling coach of Islamabad United in Pakistan Super League, until he left to join Multan Sultans in August 2017.[17]

Early and personal life

Wasim Akram was born on 3 June 1966 to a Punjabi Muslim Arain family in Lahore.[18]"Wasim Akram". Cricinfo. He was educated at Government Islamia College Civil Lines Lahore, where he played as an opening bowler and batsman.[19] Akram's father, Chaudhary Muhammed Akram, was originally from a village near Amritsar in east Punjab, India, who moved to Kamonki, Punjab, Pakistan, after the partition of India in 1947.[20]

Like several other Pakistani cricketers during the 1980s, his inclusion into the national side was at the behest of a senior player in the team, which in Akram's case was Javed Miandad. Later Imran Khan, being the top fast bowler of Pakistan at the time, become mentor of Wasim Akram.</ref>

At the age of 30, Akram was diagnosed with diabetes. "I remember what a shock it was because I was a healthy sportsman with no history of diabetes in my family, so I didn't expect it at all. It seemed strange that it happened to me when I was 30, but it was a very stressful time and doctors said that can trigger it."[21] Since then he has actively sought to be involved in various awareness campaigns for diabetes.[22]

Akram married Huma Mufti in 1995.[23] They had two sons from their marriage of 15 years: Tahmoor (born 1996) and Akbar (born 2000).[24] Huma died of multiple organ failure at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, India, on 25 October 2009.[25]

On 7 July 2013, it was reported that Akram had become engaged to an Australian woman, Shaniera Thompson, whom he had met while on a visit to Melbourne in 2011 while participating in a Poker tournament at Crown Casino.[26] Akram married Shaniera on 12 August 2013, saying he has started a new life on a happy note. He was quoted as saying: "I married Shaniera in Lahore in a simple ceremony, and this is the start of a new life for me, my wife, and for my kids."

He moved from Lahore to Karachi with his wife and kids.[27] On 3 September 2014, the couple tweeted that they were expecting their first baby—the third child of the Akram family.[28] On 27 December 2014, Shaniera delivered a baby girl, Aiyla Akram, in Melbourne.

Domestic career

In 1988, Akram signed for Lancashire County Cricket Club in England. From 1988 to 1998, he opened their bowling attack in their ECB Trophy, Benson and Hedges Cup, and National League tournaments. He was a favourite of the local British fans, who used to sing a song called "Wasim for England" at Lancashire's matches. In 1998, with Akram as captain, Lancashire won the ECB Trophy and Axa League and finished second in the championship tournament despite losing only five matches in all competitions throughout the season.[29]

International career

Test cricket

Akram made his Test cricket debut for Pakistan against New Zealand in 1985,[30] and in his second Test match, he claimed 10 wickets.[31] A few weeks prior to his selection into the Pakistan team, he was an unknown club cricketer who had failed to make it even to his college team. He came to the trials at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in Pakistan, but for the first two days he did not get a chance to bowl. On the third day, he got a chance; his performance convincing Javed Miandad to insist upon his inclusion in the national team.[32] Akram was hence given an opportunity to play for Pakistan, without any significant domestic experience.

Akram's rise in international cricket was rapid during the late 1980s. He was a part of the Pakistan team that toured the West Indies in 1988. However, a groin injury impeded his career in the late 1980s. Following two surgeries, he re-emerged in the 1990s as a fast bowler who focused more on swing and accurate bowling.[33]

One Day International

Akram started his ODI career against New Zealand in Pakistan in 1984 under the captaincy of Zaheer Abbas.[34] He rose to prominence by taking five wickets in his 3rd ODI against Australia in the 1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship. His wickets included those of Kepler Wessels, Dean Jones, and captain Allan Border.[35]

Early days

In the 1984–85 Rothmans Four-Nations Cup and the 1985–86 Rothmans Sharjah Cup, Akram took five wickets with a run rate of less than 3.50. The 1985–1986 Austral-Asia Cup involved Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and was played in Sharjah, UAE. Akram, with the help of Abdul Qadir, bowled out New Zealand's batting line-up for 64 in the second semi-final of the cup. Pakistan won that game with more than 27 overs to spare, obtaining one of the biggest wins in Pakistani history. In the final against India, he and Imran Khan shared five wickets. Akram's wickets included Dilip Vengsarkar and Ravi Shastri.

In the 1987 Cricket World Cup held for the 1st time in South Asia, Akram struggled on Pakistani pitches; he managed only 7 wickets throughout, with an average of over 40 runs per wicket across all 7 matches. Akram played West Indies, Sri Lanka and England twice. All group matches were played in Pakistan.

In the 1988–89 Benson and Hedges World Series, Akram managed figures of 4 for 25 against Australia.[36]

Emergence

Akram took his hundredth wicket at Sharjah during the 1989–1990 Champions Trophy, the 2nd Match against West Indies. His 100th wicket was that of Curtly Ambrose. In that match, he took a five-wicket haul for the second time in his career.[37] In the same match, Akram took his first hat-trick against West Indies. All three batsman were bowled out.[37][38][39] On 4 May 1990 in Sharjah, Akram took his second ODI hat-trick against Australia. All three batsmen were bowled this time as well.[38][40]

His best years in the late 1980s were from 1986–1989, during which time he took 100 wickets at 22.71 runs per wicket, and his economy rate was less than 3.9 runs per over, with a total of four 4-wicket hauls. His first two hauls against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh came in Sri Lanka in 1986.[41]

Up until December 1991, Akram took 143 wickets in 107 matches, with an average of almost 24 and an economy rate of 3.84.[33]

World's best

Wasim Akram's results in international matches[42]
 MatchesWonLostDrawnTiedNo result
Test[43]1044127360–
ODI[44] 356199145–66

Akram was a significant figure in the 1992 Cricket World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand when Pakistan won the tournament. In the final, against England, his innings of 33 runs off 19 balls pushed Pakistan to a score of 249 runs for 6 wickets. Akram then took the wicket of Ian Botham early on during the English batting innings; and, when brought back into the bowling attack later on, with the ball reverse swinging, he produced a spell of bowling which led to Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis being bowled in successive deliveries in one over. His performances earned him the Man of the Match award for the final.[45][46] In 1993, Akram took two consecutive 4-wicket hauls against Sri Lanka in Sharjah, in which 7 out of 8 wickets were either LBW or bowled.[47]

In the 1992–1993 Total International Series in South Africa (involving Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa), he took 5 wickets against South Africa and got his 200th wicket in his 143rd match.[48][49][50] Akram took 46 wickets in calendar year 1993, his best year ever in ODIs. His average was less than 19, with an economy rate of less than 3.8 runs per over. He took six 4-wicket hauls in 1993, the most by him in any year.[50] In the 1996 Cricket World Cup, Akram missed the quarterfinal match against India which Pakistan lost and went out of the World Cup. Wasim's great career was often tainted by controversy, not least in the Caribbean in April 1993, his maiden tour as Pakistan's captain. During the team's stop-over in Grenada, he was arrested along with three teammates—Waqar Younis, Aaqib Javed and Mushtaq Ahmed—and two female British tourists; he was charged with possession of marijuana.[51] Between 1994 and 1996, he took 84 wickets in 39 matches.[50]

From January 1992 to December 1997, Akram played 131 matches and took 198 wickets at an average of 21.86, with 14 4-wicket hauls in ODIs.

Late career

In 1999, he led Pakistan to the finals of the World Cup where they capitulated and were defeated by Australia in the final by eight wickets with almost 30 overs to spare.[52] This was the start of the match-fixing controversies, as critics believed Akram had set up the match for Australia. However, none of the allegations could be proved.[53][54]

He was Pakistan's best bowler in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, taking 12 wickets in 6 matches.[55] However, Pakistan failed to reach the super six of the tournament, and Akram was one of the eight players to be sacked by the Pakistan Cricket Board as a result.[56][57]

Records

Akram won 17 Man-of-the-Match awards in 104 Tests. He took four hat-tricks in international cricket—two in ODIs[37][40] and two in Tests. As a result, he shares the record for most international hat-tricks with Lasith Malinga.[58][59] He finished with 22 Man-of-the-Match awards in ODIs. In 199 ODI match wins, he took 326 wickets at under 19 apiece with a run rate of 3.70 and took 18 four-wicket hauls.[33] His 257 not-out against Zimbabwe in 1996 is the highest innings by a number-8 batsman in Tests. He hit 12 sixes in that game, and it stands to this day as the record for the most sixes by any player in a single Test innings.[60][61]

Prior to his retirement, he was one of eight senior players dropped for the Sharjah Cup in April 2003, and was then omitted from the Pakistan squad for the subsequent Bank Alfalah Cup triangular series.[62] Due to his omission from the team, he did not participate in a farewell match. Akram fulfilled his contract play for Hampshire until the end of the English season.[63]

Post retirement

Media career

Since retiring from cricket, Akram has worked and taken up commentary for television networks and can currently be seen as a sports commentator for ESPN Star Sports and ARY Digital among others. He did commentary on a variety of sporting tournaments including the 2009 Women's Cricket World Cup in Australia, the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in England, the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa, and the 2011 ICC World Cup in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Coaching career

In 2010, Akram was appointed the bowling coach consultant of Kolkata Knight Riders, the Indian Premier League team for Kolkata. Sourav Ganguly was always keen to have Akram as the bowling coach for India, during the former's stint as Indian captain. Although this never happened, his dreams were realised to some extent, when Akram was appointed as the bowling coach cum mentor for the franchise.[64] Akram has thus been playing a vital role in the grooming of Indian pacers like Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav, who owe their success in international cricket a lot to the bowling legend. While working for the Kolkata Knight Riders, he was also responsible for the signing of Pakistani domestic left-arm fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan.[65] Akram has also been coaching in Pakistan fast bowling camps, his most notable discovery being the teenage Pakistani bowlers Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan. Akram has also worked as director and bowling coach of PSL franchise Islamabad United during 2016 and 2017 season.[66] He is currently working with Multan Sultans as director and bowling coach.[66]

Legacy

Over my 15 or 16 years of playing international cricket in Tests and One Day Internationals, Wasim Akram is definitely the most outstanding bowler I've ever faced.

– Former West Indies batsman Brian Lara.[67]

During his professional career he bowled with genuine speed and hostility. Akram was a man possessed of accurate control of line and length, accompanied by seam and swing bowling skills, extended to both inswingers and outswingers. With a very quick bowling action, he could bowl equally well from both sides of the wicket. His mastery of reverse swing with the cricket ball meant he was at his most dangerous towards a bowling innings, and earned him the nickname of one of the "Sultans of Swing", the other one being Waqar Younis.

"The one player who really stood out for me was Wasim Akram. It was in that tournament that we realised just what a special talent he was and how much trouble he was going to give us and the rest of the world in the years to come. What a player he was."

– Former English Allrounder Ian Botham.[68]

As well as often being able to find the edge of the bat, Akram would also focus his bowling attack on the stumps and had a particularly lethal inswinging yorker. Of his 414 Test wickets, 193 were taken caught, 119 were taken leg before wicket and 102 were bowled.[69][70][71] In partnership with Waqar Younis, he intimidated international batsmen in the 1990s. Together Wasim and Waqar, known as "the two Ws" of the Pakistani team, were one of the most successful bowling partnerships in cricket.[72]

With the bat he was especially effective against spin bowlers. However, he liked to slog and was criticised for his lack of high scores and giving away his wicket too cheaply. In October 1996 he scored 257 runs not out, of the team's total of 553 against lowly Zimbabwe on a typical flat South Asian pitch at Sheikhupura. He also achieved good scores for the Pakistan team such as his scores of 123 and 45* against Australia to take Pakistan to victory in a low scoring match. His batting was also valuable sometimes to the Pakistan ODI side, such as in the Nehru Cup in 1989, when needing six runs and two balls to win the match, he hit the first delivery he faced, from part-time off-spinner and batting legend, Viv Richards, for a six and secured the cup.

I have always rated Wasim as the best bowler I have ever faced. I saw him at the back end of my career and I have no regret in saying this but I am glad that was in the retirement lane at that time because I think he was very special. It just wasn’t about swing or accuracy, it was about the aggression that he brought as well. He was quick as any on a given day and I just felt he had a lot offer. Like I said, I’m just glad that he came at a time that I was ready to go.

– Former West Indies batsman Viv Richards.[73]

In December 2012 after Ricky Ponting announced his retirement he said that Wasim Akram and Curtly Ambrose were the toughest bowlers he had faced[74] "Akram for the exact opposite, you could get a few runs off him, but you just knew there was an unplayable ball around the corner, be it with an old ball or with a new ball," – Ricky Ponting.[75]

Beyond cricket

Modeling

Akram walked the ramp at the Pantene Bridal Couture Week 2011, which was an event of Style 360.[76][77]

Television

YearShowRoleLanguageCountry
2016The Sportsman ShowHostUrduPakistan
2016The Kapil Sharma ShowGuestHindiIndia
2017GEO Khelo PakistanHostUrdu Pakistan

Award and records

Akram was awarded Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1993 for his sporting achievements. He was awarded Lux Style Award for Most Stylish Sports Person in 2003.

  • In his Test career, Akram took 414 wickets in 104 matches, a Pakistani record, at an average of 23.62 and scored 2,898 runs, at an average of 22.64.[78]
  • In One Day Internationals, Akram took 502 wickets in 356 appearances, at an average of 23.52 and scored 3,717 runs, at an average of 16.52.[10]
  • Akram was the first bowler in international cricket to take more than 400 wickets in both forms of the game and only Muttiah Muralitharan has since achieved this.[10][78]
  • Akram also held the record for the most wickets in Cricket World Cups, a total of 55 in 38 matches. Australia's Glenn McGrath broke the record during the 2007 Cricket World Cup, ending with a final tally of 71 from 39 matches.[79] On passing Wasim's record, McGrath said, "Wasim Akram, to me, is one of the greatest bowlers of all time. Left-armer, swung it both ways with the new ball and he was so dangerous with the old ball. To go past him is something I will always remember. Probably the other side of the coin is that if you play long enough, you're going to break records here and there."[80]
  • Akram is the only bowler to have achieved four hat-tricks in international cricket, with two each in Tests and One Day Internationals. He was the third of only four bowlers to have taken two Test cricket hat-tricks, the others being Hugh Trumble, Jimmy Matthews and Stuart Broad. Akram was also the first of only five bowlers to have taken two One Day International cricket hat-tricks. Akram's Test hat-tricks are significant, since they were taken in consecutive Test matches in the same series, a game played against Sri Lanka in the 1998-99 Asian Test Championship. Akram is also one of only two bowlers to have taken both a Test match and One Day International hat-trick, the other being Pakistan fast bowler, Mohammad Sami.[81][82]
  • Playing in a Test series against the West Indies at Lahore in 1990–1991, he became one of only six players to have taken four wickets in an over during a Test match. In Akram's case, these achievement was not part of a hat-trick, the third ball he delivered to the batting opposition was a dropped catch, which allowed a single run.[83][84]
  • Akram has also achieved the highest score by a number eight batsman in Test cricket when he scored 257 runs not out from 363 balls against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura. The innings contained 12 sixes which is also a world record for Test cricket.[85][86]
  • He also has the joint-third highest number of Man of the Match awards in Test cricket, with seventeen.[87]
  • He has scored the second-highest number of runs in One Day International matches by a player who has never scored a One Day International hundred, after Misbah-ul-Haq. His highest score was 86 runs.[88]
  • He is the only Test cricketer in the world (as of Feb 2013) to take ten or more wickets thrice in a test match and still end up on the losing side.[89]
  • He holds the record for facing the most number of balls in a test match as well as in an innings as number 8 batsman (363 balls)[90]
  • First bowler to take 500 ODI wickets and still holds the record for taking the most ODI wickets as seamer (502)[91]
  • He holds the record for taking the most number of wickets in ODI history at a single ground (122, Sharjah Cricket Stadium), also the first person to grab 100+ ODI wickets at the same ground.[92] Waqar Younis, the second person to grab 100+ ODI wickets at a single ground, also did in Sharjah. He ranks second overall with 114 wickets.
  • Holds the record for taking the most number of ODI wickets as captain (158)[93]

Controversies

In 1992, after he had been successful against the English batsmen, accusations of ball tampering began to appear in the English media, though no video evidence of foul play was ever found. Akram and Younis had been able to obtain prodigious amounts of movement from both new and old cricket balls. The skill of the reverse swing delivery was relatively unknown in England and around the cricketing world during that period.

A far larger controversy was created when critics alleged that he was involved in match fixing. An inquiry commission was set up by the Pakistan Cricket Board headed by a Pakistan high court judge, Malik Mohammad Qayyum. The judge wrote in his report that:[94]

This commission feels that all is not well here and that Wasim Akram is not above board. He has not co-operated with this Commission. It is only by giving Wasim Akram the benefit of the doubt after Ata-ur-Rehman changed his testimony in suspicious circumstances that he has not been found guilty of match-fixing. He cannot be said to be above suspicion.

International centuries

Test centuries

Test centuries of Wasim Akram
NoRunsMatchAgainstCity/CountryVenueStart dateResult
[1]12331 AustraliaAustralia Adelaide, AustraliaAdelaide Oval19 January 1990Drawn
[2]257*71 ZimbabwePakistan Sheikhupura, PakistanSheikhupura Stadium17 October 1996Drawn
[3]10097 Sri LankaSri Lanka Galle, Sri LankaGalle International Stadium21 June 2000Won

International awards

One-Day International Cricket

Man of the Match awards

S No Opponent Venue Date Match Performance Result
1 Australia Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne 24 February 1985 DNB ; 8–1–21–5  Pakistan won by 62 runs.[95]
2 Bangladesh Tyronne Fernando Stadium, Moratuwa 31 March 1986 9–2–19–4 ; DNB  Pakistan won by 7 wickets.[96]
3 India Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur 24 March 1987 48 (21 balls: 4x4, 4x6) ; 10–1–26–3  Pakistan won by 41 runs.[97]
4 West Indies Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah 18 October 1988 2 (3 balls) ; 9–0–37–3, 2 Ct.  Pakistan won by 84 runs.[98]
5 West Indies Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah 14 October 1989 0 (1 ball) ; 9.4–1–38–5, 1 Ct.  Pakistan won by 11 runs.[99]
6 Australia Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah 4 May 1990 49* (35 balls: 1x4, 3x6) ; 8.5–0–45–3  Pakistan won by 36 runs.[100]
7 England Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne 25 March 1992 33 (19 balls: 4x4) ; 10–0–48–5  Pakistan won 1992 Cricket World Cup.[101]
8 West Indies WACA Ground, Perth 4 December 1992 9–1–46–4, 1 Ct. ; 21* (17 balls: 1x4)  Pakistan won by 5 wickets.[102]
9 New Zealand Basin Reserve, Wellington 26 December 1992 1 (8 balls) ; 9–1–19–5  Pakistan won by 50 runs.[103]
10 Sri Lanka Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah 2 February 1993 10–1–24–4 ; DNB  Pakistan won by 8 wickets.[104]
11 Zimbabwe National Stadium, Karachi 24 December 1993 7–1–15–5 ; DNB  Pakistan won by 7 wickets.[105]
12 New Zealand Eden Park, Auckland 6 March 1994 33 (55 balls: 3x4) ; 7.3–0–23–4  Pakistan won by 36 runs.[106]
13 Bangladesh Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah 8 April 1995 10–0–25–2 ; 30* (25 balls: 3x4)  Pakistan won by 6 wickets.[107]
14 New Zealand Basin Reserve, Wellington 20 December 1995 36* (15 balls: 3x4, 2x6) ; 7.5–0–31–3  Pakistan won by 54 runs.[108]
15 New Zealand Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah 15 November 1996 0 (2 balls) ; 8–1–20–3  Pakistan won by 41 runs.[109]
16 Sri Lanka Boland Park, Paarl 9 April 1998 22 (31 balls: 1x4) ; 7.2–1–24–3  Pakistan won by 110 runs.[110]
17 Sri Lanka Keenan Stadium, Jamshedpur 19 March 1999 14 (30 balls: 1x4) ; 8.3–1–34–3, 3 Ct.  Pakistan won by 9 runs.[111]
18 India Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah 16 April 1999 8–3–11–3 ; DNB  Pakistan won by 8 wickets.[112]
19 India WACA Ground, Perth 28 January 2000 31* (40 balls: 1x6) ; 7-4-10-3, 1 Ct.  Pakistan won by 104 runs.[113]
20 West Indies Kensington Oval, Bridgetown 19 April 2000 42* (36 balls: 3x4, 1x6) ; 10-3-30-0  Pakistan won by 17 runs.[114]
21 Namibia Diamond Oval, Kimberley 16 February 2003 20* (14 balls: 3x4) ; 9-1-28-5  Pakistan won by 171 runs.[115]

References

  1. ↑ Qamar Ahmed. "Wasim Akram was the best I ever faced, says Kallis". dawn.com.
  2. ↑ Khabir Uddin Mughal. "Wasim Akram One of Greatest Bowlers of All Time". Sporteology. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  3. ↑ Khabir Uddin Mughal. "Wasim Akram, Best ODI Bowler in History". Sporteology. Archived from the original on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  4. ↑ Khabir Uddin Mughal. "Top 10 Greatest Cricketers of All Time". Sporteology.
  5. ↑ "Don Bradman, Shane Warne in Wisden's XI". theaustralian.com. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  6. ↑ "Sachin Tendulkar in Wisden's All-time World Test XI". NDTV. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  7. ↑ "Sachin Tendulkar named in Wisden all-time World Test XI". DNA India. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  8. ↑ "WG Grace and Shane Warne in Wisden all-time World Test XI". BBC.co.uk. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  9. 1 2 Wasim Akram, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 21 April 2012
  10. 1 2 3 Career Bowling – Most Wickets, ESPNcricinfo, 30 April 2007, archived from the original on 29 June 2007, retrieved 21 April 2012
  11. ↑ List A Limited-Overs Most Wickets in Career, ESPNcricinfo, 30 April 2007, archived from the original on 31 December 2003, retrieved 21 April 2012
  12. ↑ "All-time W100 ODI Top 10s". ESPNCricinfo. 27 January 2003. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  13. ↑ "ICC Cricket Hall of Fame". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  14. ↑ "Wasim Akram, Steve Waugh inducted into ICC Hall of Fame". MSN Sports. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  15. ↑ "Kolkata Knight Riders". iplt20.com.
  16. ↑ "IPL news : Wasim Akram takes break as KKR bowling coach | Cricket News | Indian Premier League | ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  17. ↑ http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/1114789.html
  18. ↑
  19. ↑ "Akram biography". Archived from the original on 2 August 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  20. ↑ First Look: Wasim Akram returns
  21. ↑ "'After the shock, I took control'". National Health Service. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  22. ↑ Rehan, Sohema. "Dealing With Diabetes". Newsline. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009.
  23. ↑ "Wasim Akram Wedding Was Held In 1995". Awami Web.
  24. ↑ The Sultan swings by Archived 25 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine.. Toronto Star. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
  25. ↑ "Pakistan / News – Akram's wife dies at the age of 42". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  26. ↑ "No Cookies".
  27. ↑ "Wasim Akram marries Australian girlfriend Shaniera Thompson".
  28. ↑ "'Wasim, Shaniera expecting first child". Dawn. Herald. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  29. ↑ Cricinfo staff (18 September 2007). "Lancashire on the brink of history". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 11 October 2008.
  30. ↑ "Pakistan in New Zealand Test Series – 2nd Test". ESPNCricinfo. 25 January 1985. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  31. ↑ "Pakistan in New Zealand Test Series – 3rd Test". ESPNCricinfo. 9 February 1985. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  32. ↑ "Miandad-Akram row heating up in Pakistan". zeenews. 4 April 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  33. 1 2 3 Wasim Akram: stats analysis – A stunning match-winner, ESPNCricinfo, 25 April 2010, archived from the original on 21 November 2010, retrieved 21 April 2012
  34. ↑ "New Zealand in Pakistan ODI Series – 2nd ODI". ESPNCricinfo. 23 November 1984. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  35. ↑ "Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket – 5th match, Group A". ESPNCricinfo. 24 February 1985. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  36. ↑ Australia v Pakistan – Benson and Hedges World Series Cup 1988/89, CricketArchive, 2 January 1989, retrieved 21 April 2012
  37. 1 2 3 Champions Trophy – 2nd match, ESPNCricinfo, 14 October 1989, retrieved 21 April 2012
  38. 1 2 Records / One-Day Internationals / Bowling records / Hat-tricks, ESPNCricinfo, retrieved 21 April 2012
  39. ↑ WISDEN – Sharjah Champions' Trophy – Pakistan v West Indies 1989–90, ESPNCricinfo, 14 October 1989, retrieved 21 April 2012
  40. 1 2 Austral-Asia Cup – Final, ESPNCricinfo, 4 May 1990, retrieved 21 April 2012
  41. ↑ Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – ODI Cricket, howstat.com.au, retrieved 21 April 2012
  42. ↑ "Statistics / Statsguru / KC Sangakkara/One-Day Internationals". Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  43. ↑ "List of Test victories". Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 8 December 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  44. ↑ "List of ODI victories". Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  45. ↑ Great Moments – Double jeopardy, ESPNCricinfo, 30 April 2007, retrieved 21 April 2012
  46. ↑ Benson & Hedges World Cup – Final, England v Pakistan, ESPNCricinfo, 25 March 1992, retrieved 21 April 2012
  47. ↑ Wasim Akram: 1993, howstat.com.au, retrieved 21 April 2012
  48. ↑ Total International Series – 4th match, ESPNCricinfo, 15 February 1993, retrieved 21 April 2012
  49. ↑ Pakistan vs South Africa – 4th match, howstat.com.au, 15 February 1993, retrieved 21 April 2012
  50. 1 2 3 Wasim Akram: 1993, howstat.com.au, 15 February 1993, retrieved 21 April 2012
  51. ↑ "Dabbling with drugs". Cricinfo.
  52. ↑ 1999: ICC World Cup – Final, ESPNCricinfo, 20 June 1999, retrieved 21 April 2012
  53. ↑ 1999: ICC World Cup – Final, ESPNCricinfo, 20 June 1999, retrieved 21 April 2012
  54. ↑ Wasim called by fixing inquiry, BBC, 17 November 2001, retrieved 21 April 2012
  55. ↑ Records / ICC World Cup, 2002/03 / Most wickets, ESPNCricinfo, archived from the original on 18 July 2012, retrieved 21 April 2012
  56. ↑ WISDEN – Pool A – 2003 World Cup: Zimbabwe v Pakistan, ESPNCricinfo, 14 March 2003, retrieved 21 April 2012
  57. ↑ Eight from the World Cup squad sacked, ESPNCricinfo, 20 March 2003, retrieved 21 April 2012
  58. ↑ Asian Test Championship – 3rd match, ESPNCricinfo, 4 March 1999, retrieved 21 April 2012
  59. ↑ Asian Test Championship – Final, ESPNCricinfo, 12 March 1999, retrieved 21 April 2012
  60. ↑ Zimbabwe in Pakistan Test Series – 1st Test, ESPNCricinfo, 17 October 1996, retrieved 21 April 2012
  61. ↑ ESPN (27 April 2017). "Most sixes in a test innings". cricinfo.
  62. ↑ "Akram announces retirement". Cricinfo. 18 May 2003. Archived from the original on 2 August 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  63. ↑ Wasim Akram signs one year contract for Hampshire, ESPNCricinfo, 2 April 2003, retrieved 21 April 2012
  64. ↑ "KKR can win IPL's 3rd edition: Wasim Akram". The News International. 11 January 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  65. ↑ "Pakistan's Mohammad Irfan in line for IPL contract". Cricinfo. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  66. 1 2 Faizan Lakhani (1 August 2017). "Wasim Akram leaves Islamabad United for new PSL franchise". Geo News. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  67. ↑ Lara rates Akram better than McGrath. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
  68. ↑ Ian Botham still hurts for 1992. . Retrieved on 15 AUG 2013.
  69. ↑ Tests – Most Wickets Taken Caught. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
  70. ↑ Tests – Most Wickets Taken LBW. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
  71. ↑ Tests – Most Wickets Taken Bowled. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
  72. ↑ Home truths, and the greatest fast-bowling pairs. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
  73. ↑ Akram was very special, says Richards http://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/more-cricket/akram-was-very-special-says-richards-1.1566605#.Vc7SnSYtjDE.twitter]. Gulf News. Retrieved on 02 February 2016.
  74. ↑ Ponting admits being scared of Wasim. thenews.com.pk. 5 December 2012
  75. ↑ Howards, Nathan. Curtly Ambrose and Wasim Akram were the toughest bowlers I faced, says Ricky Ponting – Cricket News Update. blogs.bettor.com
  76. ↑ "Waseem Akram also runs at Ramp". A Women's Club. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  77. ↑ "Wasim Akram at Pantene Bridal Couture Week 2011". Zimbo.com. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  78. 1 2 Test Career Bowling – Most Wickets Archived 14 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine.. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
  79. ↑ World Cup Bowling – Most Wickets Archived 18 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine.. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
  80. ↑ Pigeon v Wasim – who's the best?. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
  81. ↑ Hat Tricks in Test Matches Archived 15 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine.. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
  82. ↑ One Day Internationals – Hat Tricks Archived 29 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine.. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
  83. ↑ Four wickets in an over, and who's the Cockroach?. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
  84. ↑ Pakistan v West Indies, 1990/91, 3rd Test. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
  85. ↑ Tests – Highest Score at Each Batting Position Archived 16 February 2006 at the Wayback Machine.. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
  86. ↑ Tests – Most Sixes in an Innings Archived 16 February 2006 at the Wayback Machine.. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
  87. ↑ Tests – Most Man of the Match Awards Archived 2 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine.. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
  88. ↑ "Records / One Day Internationals / Batting records / Most runs in a career without a hundred". ESPN cricinfo.
  89. ↑ Bowling records Archived 10 April 2013 at Archive.is. stats.espncricinfo.com
  90. ↑ "Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  91. ↑ "First to take 500 ODI wickets". the telegraph.
  92. ↑ "Most wickets on a single ground in ODI cricket". cricinfo.
  93. ↑ "Statistics / Statsguru / One-Day Internationals / Bowling records". cricinfo.
  94. ↑ Justice Qayyum's Report. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
  95. ↑ "1984–1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship – 5th Match – Australia v Pakistan – Melbourne".
  96. ↑ "1985–1986 John Player Gold Leaf Trophy – 2nd Match – Bangladesh v Pakistan – Moratuwa".
  97. ↑ "1986–1987 India v Pakistan – 5th Match – Nagpur".
  98. ↑ "1988–1989 Champions Trophy – 2nd Match – Pakistan v West Indies – Sharjah".
  99. ↑ "1989–1990 Champions Trophy – 2nd Match – Pakistan v West Indies – Sharjah".
  100. ↑ "1989–1990 Austral-Asia Cup – Final – Australia v Pakistan – Sharjah".
  101. ↑ "1991–1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup – Final – England v Pakistan – Melbourne".
  102. ↑ "1992–1993 Benson & Hedges World Series – 1st Match – Pakistan v West Indies – Perth".
  103. ↑ "1992–1993 New Zealand v Pakistan – 1st Match – Wellington".
  104. ↑ "1992–1993 Wills Trophy – 2nd Match – Pakistan v Sri Lanka – Sharjah".
  105. ↑ "1993–1994 Pakistan v Zimbabwe – 1st Match – Karachi".
  106. ↑ "1993–1994 New Zealand v Pakistan – 2nd Match – Auckland".
  107. ↑ "1994–1995 Pepsi Asia Cup – 4th Match – Bangladesh v Pakistan – Sharjah".
  108. ↑ "1995–1996 New Zealand v Pakistan – 3rd Match – Wellington".
  109. ↑ "1996–1997 Singer Champions Trophy – Final – New Zealand v Pakistan – Sharjah".
  110. ↑ "1997–1998 Standard Bank International – 4th Match – Pakistan v Sri Lanka – Paarl".
  111. ↑ "1998–1999 Pepsi Cup – 1st Match – Pakistan v Sri Lanka – Jamshedpur".
  112. ↑ "1998–1999 Coca-Cola Cup – Final – India v Pakistan – Sharjah".
  113. ↑ "1999–2000 Carlton & United Series – 11th Match – India v Pakistan – Perth".
  114. ↑ "1999–2000 Cable & Wireless One Day Series – 1st Final – West Indies v Pakistan – Bridgetown, Barbados".
  115. ↑ "2002–2003 ICC World Cup – 15th Match – Pakistan v Namibia – Kimberley".
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Aamer Sohail		 Pakistan Cricket Captain
1999–2000		 Succeeded by
Moin Khan
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Curtly Ambrose		 Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World
1992		 Succeeded by
Shane Warne
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.