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Wasim Akram (born: June 3, 1966) is a former Pakistani cricketer, recognized as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. He represented the Pakistani cricket team in Tests and One-Day Internationals, currently holding the world record for most wickets taken in both ODI (502) and List A cricket (881). Akram made his national debut on January 25, 1985 versus New Zealand and his ODI debut on November 23, 1984 versus India. He also captained Pakistan and won a couple of matches, including the 1996-1997 victory in the World Series in Australia, two Test matches against India in 1998-1999 and the 1999 World Cup.

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Greatest Sporting Achievements

Wasim Akram was Pakistan’s top bowler during the 2003 World Cup taking 19 wickets in 7 matches. He was ranked as the best bowler in ODI of all time with a rating of 1223.5. He took 23 four-wicket hauls in ODI in 356 matches. In 2009, Wasim Akram was one of the five new members that were inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Why Was He So Good?

Wasim Akram pioneered the reverse swing bowling. He is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of cricket. Akram possessed indisputable swiftness, perfect power of line and length and seam point, swinging the ball in and out. He had a very deceptive ball-concealing action. He could bowl from both sides of the wicket.

What You May Not Know

• Akram is the bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders.
• He was nicknamed “WAZ”, “Sultan of Swing”, “The Two W’s (together with Waqar Younis)” and The King of Swing.
• Wasim Akram was only 30 years old when he was diagnosed with diabetes. Since then, Wasim Akram got involved with several diabetes awareness campaigns.

Was he a legend?

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