Wasim Akram: Pakistan’s legendary bowler – What players of yesterday are remembered for today
A player who has written his name in cricket’s long and illustrious history as one of the true masters of swing, Wasim Akram’s name is synonymous with Pakistan’s dominant fast bowling attack during the 90’s and into the early years of the 21st
century.
One of many fast bowlers that seem to roll out of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Aaqib-Javed-c41431 and even Waqar Younis found themselves in the legendary bowler’s immense shadow.
Born on June 3, 1966 in the historically rich city of Lahore, few knew how much of an impact http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292 would have on the world of cricket, not just in his home country, or in Asia, but rather the all around the globe.
The signs were bright for the bowler from the beginning as he took seven wickets on his first class debut against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 in 1984, who were touring the country. One ought to note that Akram was just 18 years of age at the time.
The same year Akram would go on to make his One Day International debut for his country as he faced the New Zealand side he had earlier destroyed. In a career that would stretch a glorious 19 years, during which Akram would go on to take 414 Test wickets
and join the exclusive 500 ODI wicket club.
Known for his ability to be able to bowl the infamous and deadly reverse swing, Akram had a number of potent weapons in his bowling arsenal. Known not only for swinging the ball almost at will, as well as for being one of the bowlers of the Yorker delivery,
batsmen unfortunate enough to find themselves between him and the stumps had to be on their toes at all times.
His quick fire two wickets in the World Cup final in 1992 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013, was one of the most memorable moments in the tournament’s history, as fans held their breath with the prospect of a hat-trick in the final.
Though it did not happen Akram was one of the pillars upon which Pakistan’s only triumph in the World Cup was built, and became a national hero.
Both his consistency paired with the ability to take crucial wickets on a regular basis, as well as his maturing leadership abilities, Akram was soon appointed Pakistan’s captain.
During his tenure he led the nation to a World Cup final at Lords in England. It had been seven years since Pakistan’s triumph in 1992 World Cup and Akram had the chance to write his name down in history as one of the few players of the modern game to have
won the World Cup on two occasions.
It was not to be as Pakistan’s immaculate form did not carry into the final and the Men in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 strolled their way to the trophy and began their 13 year domination of the world of international cricket.
Akram was still regarded a national hero and his performances with the bat had him earn the tag of an all rounder, though his record of ‘most ducks’ which still stands at 28, would suggest otherwise.
Wasim cemented his place in history when he took his 500th ODI wicket in the 2003 World Cup against Holland. Yet it also signaled the end of his international playing career as a combination of earlier match fixing allegations and poor showing
in the World Cup forced him into retirement.
Yet Wasim Akram will always be remembered as the greatest bowler of his generation in Pakistan and in cricketing history as a whole, and is still a source of inspiration for bowlers around the globe.
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