Another Milestone for Wasim Akram
The world’s most stylish and prolific left arm swing bowler has yet again achieved another milestone be becoming the only Pakistani player to be included in the ESPNcricinfo all-time Test World XI list.
The Australian and West Indian players heavily dominated this list clearly showing their outstanding performance and talent that has been dominating Test cricket over the years.
The list includes four Australians, three West Indians, two Englishmen, an Indian and a Pakistani.
Three players - Don Bradman, Garry Sobers and Shane Warne were unanimously picked by the 12 member jury. The World XI was picked from the list of each country’s XI.
Sachin Tendulkar is the only Indian listed in the World Test XI. Sachin was an easy choice for the jury as his Test record has been prolific over the past years, scoring 14,000 runs in just Test Cricket.
From Pakistan, Wasim Akram was the man who succeeded in getting listed in the all-time Test world XI. Wasim, who has taken 414 wickets in Test Cricket has once again proved that he is most certainly the best left arm swing bowler
who has ever played.
Starting his career in Test cricket in 1985 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754, Wasim Akram soon imprinted his name in the world of cricket by taking ten wickets in only his second test match, clearly showing his ability to bowl against a relatively
solid opposition.
Wasim Akram, who could not even make it to his college cricket team, was picked up to play for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 when he came to take part in the trials being held at the Gaddafi Stadium. When he got a chance to bowl, he managed to impress
the selectors and this was the birth of an upcoming cricket legend.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292 formed a formidable bowling partnership with his mentor Imran Khan in his early career, but later it was Wasim’s and Waqar Younis’ bowling partnership, that ravished every batting lineup in the world. During the 90’s,
the two W’s combination was lethal even against the mightiest of teams.
Wasim Akram’s career wasn’t a joyride as he was hit by injuries as well as scandals of match fixing. Wasim’s darkest moment was perhaps after the 1996 world cup, when after losing to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in the quarterfinal, he was accused of
match fixing. A proper inquiry was constituted for the investigation of the matter but no substantial proof was found against Wasim Akram, ending Wasim’s long ordeal.
After clearing his name, Wasim focused on cricket once more and lead his team to the final of the 1999 ODI World Cup where the green caps succumbed to the Australians.
Wasim Akram hasn’t been phenomenal in just international cricket; his record for his English county club Lancashire (1988-1998) speaks for itself, where Wasim went on to become the most successful overseas player for the club.
In 1998 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lancashire-c806 under Wasim’s captaincy won the ECB trophy and Axa league, finishing second in the championship tournament.
Wasim Akram without a doubt is perhaps the most sensational left arm fast bowler of his time as well as for the times to come, inspiring many to follow in his footsteps across the globe.
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