In an age when fast-bowling was synonymous with intimidation, Wasim Akram showed what a shorter run-up, a whippy action and great wrists were capable of.
There was not a single batsman who did not dread facing Akram, right from the time the teenage sensation burst on to the scene in the mid ’80s and up until he retired in the early 2000s.
And quite rightly too. Akram could take the ball away from the batsman, bring it back into him and introduced the world to the remarkable returns possible thanks to reverse swing.
In a career that spanned nearly two decades, Akram picked up 916 international wickets, establishing himself as perhaps the greatest fast-bowler to play the game.
Akram turns 50 on Friday, and in honour of his incredible skill with the ball we look at five of his top bowling performances.
5/21 vs Australia at Melbourne, February 1985
In only his fourth ODI, Akram runs through Australia’s top order, comprising the likes of Kepler Wessels, Robbie Kerr and Dean Jones. He follows it up by dismissing Alan Border and Kim Hughes. Before they know it, Australia are 42/5, and 221 runs adrift. Pakistan win by 62 runs, and Akram is declared Man of the Match.
4/23 vs New Zealand at Auckland, March 1994
Akram went wicketless in Pakistan’s comfortable first ODI win, but makes amends next time out. He strengthens his team’s defense of a small total by rattling the Kiwis early on, taking two before the scoreboard reads 10. Akram later comes back to clean up the tail, ending with an economy of just three runs per over.
6/61 and 5/49 vs West Indies at Antigua, May 2000
The writing is on the wall and people are suggesting that Akram is past his prime. His six wickets in the first innings peg the West Indies back and reduce the lead to a negligible figure, proving otherwise. In the second innings, whilst defending 215, he dismisses Sherwin Campbell, Adrian Griffith, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, and later, Reon King but fails to stop Jimmy Adams who narrowly takes West Indies home with a painstaking 48 from 212 balls. It was harsh on Akram to end up on the losing side.
6/62 and 5/98 vs Australia at Melbourne, January 1990
Akram’s six-wicket haul in the first innings tilt the scales in Pakistan’s favour as Australia are all-out for 223. But Pakistan’s batsmen make a mess of the response, conceding a lead of over 100 runs. Akram responds in kind, returning in the second innings with an invaluable five-for. Pakistan are unable to chase the 429-run target as Australia romp home by 92 runs but the 11 wickets aren’t in vain as Akram is declared Man of the Match in his 30th Test.
6/67 and 3/36 vs England at The Oval, August 1992
So well do Akram and his partner in crime, Waqar Younis, reverse the ball that the English batsman are in a state of shock for the most part of this match. In the first innings, after dismissing Alec Stewart, Akram returns for a second spell and runs through the opposition line-up by picking up 5 wickets for 18 runs in a little more than 7 overs. From 182/3, England end at 207.
In the second innings, defending a lead of 173 runs, Akram plays second fiddle to Waqar and picks up three wickets towards the end of the English innings. Pakistan win the Test by 10 wickets and Akram bags Man of the Match… again!
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