| Personal information | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Wasim Akram Chaudhry | |||
| Born | 3 June 1966 Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
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| Nickname | Sultan of Swing, The Two W's (with Waqar Younis), King Of Swing | |||
| Batting style | Left hand bat | |||
| Bowling style | Left arm fast | |||
| Role | (All-rounder) bowler and batsman | |||
| International information | ||||
| National side | Pakistan | |||
| 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. | 3 | |||
| Domestic team information | ||||
| Years | Team | |||
| 2003 | Hampshire | |||
| 2000–2001 | Lahore | |||
| 1997–1998 | Lahore | |||
| 1992–2002 | Pakistan International Airlines | |||
| 1988–1998 | Lancashire | |||
| 1986–1987 | Lahore | |||
| 1985–1986 | Lahore | |||
| 1984–1986 | Pakistan Automobiles Corporation | |||
| Career statistics | ||||
| Competition | Test | ODI | FC | LA |
| Matches | 104 | 356 | 257 | 594 |
| Runs scored | 2898 | 3717 | 7161 | 6993 |
| 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 | 22627 | 18186 | 50278 | 29719 |
| Wickets | 414 | 502 | 1042 | 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 | 44/0 | 88/0 | 97/0 | 147/0 |
| Source: CricketArchive, 11 January 2008 | ||||
Wasim Akram (Punjabi: وسیم اکرم; born 3 June 1966) is a former Pakistani left arm fast bowler and left-handed batsman in cricketer and model.[1] who represented the Pakistan national cricket team in Test cricket and One Day International (ODI) matches.
Akram is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in the history of cricket. He holds the world record for most wickets in List A cricket with 881 and is second only to Sri Lankan off-spin bowler, Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of ODI wickets with 502. He is considered to be one of the founders and perhaps one of the finest exponents of reverse swing bowling.[2][3][4]
He was the first bowler to reach the 500-wicket landmark in ODI cricket during the 2003 World Cup. In 2002 Wisden released its only and final 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, Glen McGrath and Murali.
Wasim has taken 23 4-wicket hauls in ODI in 356 matches he played. On 30 September 2009, Akram was one of five new members inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.[5]
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Akram was born in Lahore, Pakistan on 3 June 1966, to a moderately affluent middle-class family.[6] He was educated at Islamia College in Lahore, where he played as an opening bowler and batsman.[6] 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.[7]
Akram was diagnosed with diabetes at the peak of his career but despite the initial psychological blow, he managed to regain his form and went on to produce fine cricketing performances. Since then he has actively sought to be involved in various awareness-raising campaigns for diabetes.[8]
He was married to Huma in 1995. They had two sons Taimur and Akbar[9] from their marriage of fifteen years. Huma died of multiple organ failure at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, India on 25 October 2009.[10]
In 1988 he signed for Lancashire County Cricket Club in England and went on to become their most successful overseas players. From 1988 to 1998, he opened their bowling attack in their ECB Trophy, Benson & 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. Apart from the National League second division title in 2003, this was the last time Lancashire won a trophy.[11]
Akram made his Test cricket debut for Pakistan against New Zealand in 1985 and in only his second Test match, he claimed 10 wickets. 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. Akram was hence given an opportunity to play for Pakistan, without any significant domestic experience. Later that season he opened the bowling attack with Imran Khan, who became his mentor at and after the World Championship of Cricket in Australia.
In the 1987 Cricket World Cup, when Pakistan played against the West Indies, Akram bowled to Viv Richards in the late overs of the innings but Richards, who is regarded as the best batsman during that period, struggled against Akram's bowling performances.
Akram's rise in international cricket was rapid during the late 1980s. When Pakistan toured the West Indies in 1988, he looked to be the fastest bowler between the two sides. 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.
Akram started his ODI career against New Zealand in Pakistan in 1984 under the Captaincy of Zaheer Abaass. He rose to prominence taking 5 wickets in his just 3rd ODI against an awesome Australian side in 1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship who would be future winners of 1987 World Cup.His wickets included that of Kepler Wessels, Dean Jones and Captain Border.
In 1984-85 Rothmans Four-Nations Cup and 1985-86 Rothmans Sharjah Cup he took 5 wickets with a run rate of under 3.50, which was consided to be magnificent even in that times.He started improving his bowling with the passage of time taking help from Senior Pakistani member Imran Khan.
In 1985-1986 Austral-Asia Cup which involved Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka playing in UAE Sharjah. Wasim Akram with the help of Abdul Qadir destroyed New Zealand batting line up for just 64 in the Second Semi final of Cup.Pakistan won that game with more than 27 overs to spare obtaining one of the biggest wins in Pakistani history.In Final against India he and Imran(Captain at that time) shared 5 wickets between them. His scalps included Dilip Vengsarkar and Ravi Shastri.Akram was becoming the darling of swing in Sharjah. His bowls were at times difficult to read at the later half of innings making batsman busy in problems
In 1987 Reliance World Cup held for the 1st time in Sub Continent, Akram really struggled in Pakistani Pitches were he managed only 7 wickets with an average of 40+ in 7 matches. Akram played West Indies, Sri Lanka and England twice. All group matches were played in Pakistan.
In 1988-89 Benson and Hedges World Series he managed well 4-25 against powerful Australia.[1].He got his hundredth wicket at CA Sharjah in 1989-1990 Champions Trophy - 2nd Match against West Indies. His 100th wicket was of Ambrose.In that match he took 5 wickets only second time in his career.
On October 14, 1989 at Sharjah he took his 1st hat-trick against West Indies. All 3 batsman were bowled. Again on 4 May 1990in Sharjah, Akram took his second ODI hat-trick against Australia. All 3 batsmen were bowled this time also.[12] His best years in late 1980s were from 1986-1989 when which he took 100 wickets at 22.71 apiece and economy rate of less than 3.9 run/over with 4 4-wicket hauls. His first two 4-wicket hauls against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh came in bowler friendly conditions of Sri Lanka in 1986.[2].
Overall in this time period Akram rose from a young ordinary fast bowler to a dangerous wicket-taker who would move ball on any wicket he wanted to. Till Dec 1991 Akram took 143 wickets in 107 matches with an average of almost 24 and economy rate of 3.84. He took 5 4-wicket hauls. [3].
Akram was a significant figure in the 1992 Cricket World Cup held in Australia, when Pakistan won the tournament. In the final against England, his batting performance during his innings of 33 runs off 19 balls, pushed Pakistan to a respectable score of 249 runs for 6 wickets. Akram then took the important wicket of Ian Botham early on the English batting innings and when brought back into the bowling attack later on, with the ball reverse swinging, he produced a devastating spell of bowling which led to Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis being bowled in successive deliveries in one over. His excellent performances earned him the Man of the Match award for the final.[13][14] In 1993 Akram took 2 consecutive 4-wicket hauls against Sri Lanka in Sharjah in which 7 out of 8 wickets were either lbw or bowled.[4]. In 1992-1993 Total International Series in South Africa (Involving Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa) his magic was destructive where he took 5 wickets against South Africa and got his 200th wicket in 143rd match. He now emerged as a dangerous bowler in bowler friendly pitches of South Africa.[5].[6].Akram took 46 wickets in calender year 1993 certainly his best year ever in ODI.Another astonishment was average which was less than 19 with an economy rate of less than 3.8 runs / over. He took 6 4-wicket hauls in 1993 most by him in any year. This was the year when he and Waqar were truly mesmerizing.[7].In 1996 World Cup he struggled as he missed crucial quarter final match against India which Pakistan lost and went out of the World Cup. From 1994 till 1996 he took 84 wickets in 39 matches. This time period was his golden time
[8]. From Jan 1992 - Dec 1997 Akram played 131 matches took 198 wickets at mere 21.86 apiece with 14 4-wicket hauls in ODIs.Run rate was also fantastic with less than 3.8 per over. Definitely his best era in ODI cricket.[9].
In 1999, he led Pakistan to the brink of victory in the World Cup before they capitulated and was defeated by Australia in the final, by eight wickets with almost 30 overs to spare. 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.
He was Pakistan's best bowler in the 2003 Cricket World Cup taking 19 wickets in 6 matches. However, Pakistan failed to reach the "Super Six" phase of the tournament and Akram was one of the eight players to be sacked by the Pakistan Cricket Board as a result.
He finished with 22 Man-of-the-Match awards in ODIs. In fact, Akram and Shaun Pollock (who also has 22) have the highest number of awards among players whose major suit isn't batting.[10].Out of 356 ODI matches he played Pakistan won 199 of them and 66 under his captaincy(He captained Pakistan in ODIs in 109 matches and has one of the best win ratio as a captain).In 199 win matches he took 326 wickets at fantastic 18.86 apiece with a run rate of 3.70 and took 18 4-wicket hauls.[11].
Wasim Akram captained Pakistan in 109 ODI matches out of 356 he played. Pakistan won 66 matches of them. So he has a win loss ratio of 1.60 which more than Imran's1.27, Waqar's 1.60. [12].Under his captaincy Pakistan played.He also captained Pakistan with some success. The high points of his captaincy was the 1996–1997 victory in the World Series Cricket in Australia, two Test match wins in India in 1998–1999 and in 1999, when Pakistan reached the 1999 Cricket World Cup final. The low point was the 1996 Cricket World Cup in Pakistan and India, when he had to pull out of the quarter final match against India, citing injury. After Pakistan's defeat, there were angry protests outside his home and riots across the country from angry fans who accused the team of throwing the match and a government inquiry was launched into the failure.
On 18 May 2003, at the age of 36, Akram abruptly announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a career which spanned 19 years. He had suggested that he was ready to quit several times towards the end of his career, but Pakistan's sub-par performance in the World Cup proved to be the deciding factor.
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.[15] 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.
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.
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 for the franchise.[16] While working for the Kolkata Knight Riders, he was also responsible for the signing of Pakistani domestic left-arm fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan.[17] Akram has also been coaching in Pakistan fast bowling camps; his most notable discovery being the teenage Pakistani bowler Muhammad amir.
| “ | 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. | ” |
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— Former West Indies batsman Brian Lara.[18] |
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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.
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.[19][20][21] 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.[22]
Akram was also skilled with the bat and was regarded as a bowling all-rounder. 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 for a player of his talent. He did silence his critics and the media in October 1996 when he scored 257 runs not out, of the team's total of 553 against Zimbabwe 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 to the Pakistan ODI side, such as his match winning performance in the Nehru Cup, when needing six runs and two balls to win the match; he hit the first delivery he faced for six runs and secured the cup.
He had walked in the Pantene Bridal Couture Week 2011 which was an event of Style 360.[23][24]
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 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:[36]
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.
| 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 |
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