The greatest left arm fast bowler (Best performances part 3)
As Wasim’s career progressed he produced many magical performances. Some of those performances stand out at the top the world.
In only his 2nd Test match against the Kiwis, he earned a maiden 10-wicket haul. Pakistan scored a decent 273 in the first innings. An attack missing Imran Khan due to injury comprised of, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tahir-Naqqash-c92618, Rashid Khan, Azeem Hafeez and a rookie
Wasim Akram. Nobody knew what was to come.
Wasim making his mark, showing his potential, and justifying his selection, dug deep into New Zealand’s batting. In the first innings he took 5/56 to give Pakistan a significant lead of 53 runs. Pakistan was bowled out cheaply in the 2nd innings
for just 223 runs. New Zealand in pursuit of 278 runs crumbled. They were 4/23, courtesy of a brilliant early spell by Wasim. A partnership of 157 runs between Martin Crowe and Jeremy Coney steadied the ship for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754. Akram struck twice again, keeping
New Zealand in check. His 5/72 in the 2nd innings did not prevent New Zealand’s victory.
Wasim Akram, in 1985 toured Australia to take part in the World championship series of cricket. In only his fourth ODI against Australia, he surprised the strong batting line-up of Australia by taking 5/21. Pakistan did set Australia a decent target of 263
runs. It wasn’t looking difficult for the strong Australian batting line-up. Wasim had other ideas. He zipped through their top order. Australia was 5/42 in pursuit of 263 runs. They never recovered, and were bundled out for 200, despite a fighting 74 form
Simon O’ Donnell.
West Indies toured Pakistan in 1990 to play 3 Test match series. The series was levelled at 1-1 going into the 3rd Test at Lahore. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 scored a fighting first innings total of 294, courtesy a 134 Carl Hooper’s knock. Wasim Akram’s reverse
swing took him 4 / 61 to restrict West Indies to 294, which was looking like a 350-run total.
Pakistan was bowled out cheaply for just 122 runs. West Indies were going along nicely at 5/155. It started reversing and Wasim Akram took full advantage of it in his 2nd spell by taking 5/28. It ensured a draw. In this spell he took 4 wickets
of 5 balls, if Imran wouldn’t have dropped Ian http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bishop-c48135 it would have been 5 in 5. This is a rare feat, achieved by only two bowlers in the history of Test cricket. Geoff Arnold of England previously did it against Pakistan.
Akram buried http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 batting failed collectively, scoring just 107
runs, giving Australia an unassailable lead of 116 runs. In the 2nd innings Wasim took 5/98 without much support at the other end, bowling a long spell of 41.4 overs, but did not keep Australia from getting a winning lead. This performance earned
him the man-of-the-match award.
A World cup final is the biggest stage for any cricketer to perform, and to write his name in the record books. The 1992 World cup final is mainly remembered due to Wasim’s brilliance that earned him the man-of-the-match. Derek Pringle struck early. A 139
run stand between Imran and Javed laid the foundation for a final overs attack. A target that was looking like 225 was changed to 250, courtesy of brilliant hitting fromhttp://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292 and Inzamam. Wasim made an 18 ball 33.
England, chasing down the target of 249 had early hiccups. It was 69/4 till Allan Lamb and Neil Fairbrother restored the innings to 141/4 in 34 overs. Wasim was brought on for his 2nd spell. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 could sense something. He cleaned Allan Lamb and
Chris http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lewis-c72807 with beauties on consecutive deliveries. His 2nd spell completely changed the course of the match, giving Pakistan there only victory in a cricket World Cup.
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