Wasim Akram, the Swing King from Pakistan is considered one of the best left-arm pacer to play international cricket by far. As the legend turns 50 today, let's dig deep into some of the facts from the cricketer's life.
1. Javed Miandad Spotted the Young Talent
It was not Imran Khan but Javed Miandad who spotted the talented Akram at a very young age. 18-year-old Akram was chosen for Pakistan in 1984-85 during the captaincy period of Miandad.
2. First-Class Debut
Akram’s first competitive match was a First-Class encounter for the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan’s (BCCP) Patrons XI against New Zealand in 1984, at Rawalpindi . He made his mark on the first game itself by taking seven wickets in the first innings. Few days later he made his one-day debut. It was a trip to New Zealand , where he made his Test debut.
3. The Absolute Gamer
While packing for his tour to New Zealand, he had asked skipper Miandad as to the amount of money he should carry with him. He had no idea of the fact that he'll be paid for playing for the country.
4. His Unforgettable Hat-tricks
The Swing King was one of the most feared bowlers of his time. The way he controlled the ball, it was like no other. His way of bowling at a good pace and getting it to move was such a pleasure to watch. He had four hat-tricks, two in Tests and two in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). His ODI hat-tricks where in 1989 and 1990. The two back-to-back hat-tricks in 1999 was in Tests against Sri Lanka to help Pakistan win the Asian Test Championship.
5. 500 ODI wickets
Akram was the first man to take 500 ODI wickets. He was the highest wicket-taker in ODIs with 502 scalps before Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan surpassed him in 2009.
6. Most successful left-arm bowler in history
Akram is the only left-arm bowler to take over 400 wickets in Test cricket. With 502 wickets on ODIs to boot, he is the most successful left-arm bowler in the game’s history.
We wish you a very Happy Birthday, Sir.