Wasim Akram
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Wasim Akram
وسیم اکرم {{{imagealt}}}
Personal information
Full name Chaudhry Wasim Akram Arain
Born 3 June 1966 (age 46)
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Nickname Sultan of Swing, The Two W's (with Waqar Younis), King Of Swing
Batting style Left hand bat
Bowling style Left arm fast
Role (All-rounder) bowler and batsman
International information
National side Pakistan
Test debut (cap 102) 25 January 1984 v New Zealand
Last Test 9 January 2002 v Bangladesh
ODI debut (cap 53) 23 November 1984 v New Zealand
Last ODI 4 March 2003 v Zimbabwe
ODI shirt no. 3
Domestic team information
Years Team
2003 Hampshire
2000–2001 Lahore
1997–1998 Lahore
1992–2002 Pakistan International Airlines
1988–1998 Lancashire
1986–1987 Lahore
1985–1986 Lahore
1984–1986 Pakistan Automobiles Corporation
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 104 356 257 594
Runs scored 2898 3717 7161 6993
Batting average 22.64 16.52 22.73 18.90
100s/50s 3/7 0/6 7/24 0/17
Top score 257* 86 257* 89*
Balls bowled 22627 18186 50278 29719
Wickets 414 502 1042 881
Bowling average 23.62 23.52 21.64 21.91
5 wickets in innings 25 6 70 12
10 wickets in match 5 0 16 0
Best bowling 7/119 5/15 8/30 5/10
Catches/stumpings 44/0 88/0 97/0 147/0
Source: ESPNCricinfo, 4 April 2012
Wasim Akram (Punjabi: وسیم اکرم; born 3 June 1966) is a former Pakistani cricketer. He is a left arm fast bowler and left-handed batsman who represented the Pakistan national cricket team in Test cricket and One Day International (ODI) matches.
Akram is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in the history of cricket. He holds the world record for most wickets in List A cricket with 881 and is second only to Sri Lankan off-spin bowler, Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of ODI wickets with 502. He is considered to be one of the founders and perhaps the finest exponent of reverse swing bowling.[1][2][3]
He was the first bowler to reach the 500-wicket mark in ODI cricket during the 2003 World Cup. In 2002 Wisden released its only list of best players of all time. Wasim was ranked as the best bowler in ODI of all time with a rating of 1223.5, ahead of Allan Donald, Imran Khan, Waqar Younis, Joel Garner, Glen McGrath and Muralitharan.[4] Wasim has taken 23 4-wicket hauls in ODI in 356 matches he played.[1] On 30 September 2009, Akram was one of five new members inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.[5][6] He is the current bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders.[7]
Contents
Early and personal life
Akram was born in Lahore, Pakistan on 3 June 1966, to a moderately affluent middle-class Arain family.[8] He was educated at Islamia College in Lahore, where he played as an opening bowler and batsman.[8] Like several other Pakistani cricketers during the 1980s, his inclusion into the national side was at the behest of a senior player in the team, which in Akram's case, was Javed Miandad.[9]
At the age of 30, Akram was diagnosed with diabetes. "I remember what a shock it was because I was a healthy sportsman with no history of diabetes in my family, so I didn't expect it at all. It seemed strange that it happened to me when I was 30, but it was a very stressful time and doctors said that can trigger it."[10] Since then he has actively sought to be involved in various awareness campaigns for diabetes.[11]
He married Huma in 1995. They had two sons Tahmoor(1996) and Akbar(2000)[12] from their marriage of fifteen years. Huma died of multiple organ failure at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, India on 25 October 2009.[13]
International career
First-class cricket
In 1988 he signed for Lancashire County Cricket Club in England and went on to become their most successful overseas players. From 1988 to 1998, he opened their bowling attack in their ECB Trophy, Benson and Hedges Cup and National League tournaments. He was a favorite of the local British fans who used to sing a song called "Wasim for England" at Lancashire's matches. In 1998, with Akram as captain Lancashire won the ECB Trophy and Axa League and finished second in the championship tournament despite losing only five matches in all competitions throughout the season. Apart from the National League second division title in 2003, this was the last time Lancashire won a trophy.[14]
Test cricket
Akram made his Test cricket debut for Pakistan against New Zealand in 1985[15] and in only his second Test match, he claimed 10 wickets.[16] A few weeks prior to his selection into the Pakistan team, he was an unknown club cricketer who had failed to make it even to his college team. He came to the trials at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in Pakistan, but for the first two days he did not get a chance to bowl. On the third day he got a chance; his performance convincing Javed Miandad to insist upon his inclusion in the national team.[9] Akram was hence given an opportunity to play for Pakistan, without any significant domestic experience. In the 1987 Cricket World Cup, when Pakistan played against the West Indies, Akram bowled to Viv Richards in the late overs of the innings but Richards, who is regarded as the best batsman during that period, struggled against Akram's bowling performances.
Akram's rise in international cricket was rapid during the late 1980s. When Pakistan toured the West Indies in 1988, he looked to be the fastest bowler between the two sides. However, a groin injury impeded his career in the late 1980s. Following two surgeries, he re-emerged in the 1990s as a fast bowler who focused more on swing and accurate bowling.[17]
One Day International
Akram started his ODI career against New Zealand in Pakistan in 1984 under the Captaincy of Zaheer Abbass.[18] He rose to prominence taking 5 wickets in his just 3rd ODI against a strong Australian side in 1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship who would be future winners of 1987 World Cup. His wickets included that of Kepler Wessels, Dean Jones and Captain Allan Border.[19]
Rise to prominence (1983- Dec 1991)
In 1984-85 Rothmans Four-Nations Cup and 1985-86 Rothmans Sharjah Cup he took 5 wickets with a run rate of under 3.50. time. He started improving his bowling with the passage of time taking help from senior Pakistani member Imran Khan.
The 1985-1986 Austral-Asia Cup involved Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka playing in UAE Sharjah. Wasim Akram with the help of Abdul Qadir bowled out New Zealand's batting line up for just 64 in the Second Semi final of Cup. Pakistan won that game with more than 27 overs to spare obtaining one of the biggest wins in Pakistani history. In the Final against India he and Imran (captain at that time) shared five wickets between them. His wickets included Dilip Vengsarkar and Ravi Shastri. Akram was becoming the darling of swing in Sharjah. His bowling was difficult to read, causing batsmen problems especially during the latter half of innings.
In 1987 Reliance World Cup held for the 1st time in the sub-continent, Akram struggled on Pakistani pitches where he managed only 7 wickets with an average of over 40 in 7 matches. Akram played West Indies, Sri Lanka and England twice. All group matches were played in Pakistan.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Wasim Akram
وسیم اکرم {{{imagealt}}}
Personal information
Full name Chaudhry Wasim Akram Arain
Born 3 June 1966 (age 46)
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Nickname Sultan of Swing, The Two W's (with Waqar Younis), King Of Swing
Batting style Left hand bat
Bowling style Left arm fast
Role (All-rounder) bowler and batsman
International information
National side Pakistan
Test debut (cap 102) 25 January 1984 v New Zealand
Last Test 9 January 2002 v Bangladesh
ODI debut (cap 53) 23 November 1984 v New Zealand
Last ODI 4 March 2003 v Zimbabwe
ODI shirt no. 3
Domestic team information
Years Team
2003 Hampshire
2000–2001 Lahore
1997–1998 Lahore
1992–2002 Pakistan International Airlines
1988–1998 Lancashire
1986–1987 Lahore
1985–1986 Lahore
1984–1986 Pakistan Automobiles Corporation
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 104 356 257 594
Runs scored 2898 3717 7161 6993
Batting average 22.64 16.52 22.73 18.90
100s/50s 3/7 0/6 7/24 0/17
Top score 257* 86 257* 89*
Balls bowled 22627 18186 50278 29719
Wickets 414 502 1042 881
Bowling average 23.62 23.52 21.64 21.91
5 wickets in innings 25 6 70 12
10 wickets in match 5 0 16 0
Best bowling 7/119 5/15 8/30 5/10
Catches/stumpings 44/0 88/0 97/0 147/0
Source: ESPNCricinfo, 4 April 2012
Wasim Akram (Punjabi: وسیم اکرم; born 3 June 1966) is a former Pakistani cricketer. He is a left arm fast bowler and left-handed batsman who represented the Pakistan national cricket team in Test cricket and One Day International (ODI) matches.
Akram is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in the history of cricket. He holds the world record for most wickets in List A cricket with 881 and is second only to Sri Lankan off-spin bowler, Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of ODI wickets with 502. He is considered to be one of the founders and perhaps the finest exponent of reverse swing bowling.[1][2][3]
He was the first bowler to reach the 500-wicket mark in ODI cricket during the 2003 World Cup. In 2002 Wisden released its only list of best players of all time. Wasim was ranked as the best bowler in ODI of all time with a rating of 1223.5, ahead of Allan Donald, Imran Khan, Waqar Younis, Joel Garner, Glen McGrath and Muralitharan.[4] Wasim has taken 23 4-wicket hauls in ODI in 356 matches he played.[1] On 30 September 2009, Akram was one of five new members inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.[5][6] He is the current bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders.[7]
Contents
Early and personal life
Akram was born in Lahore, Pakistan on 3 June 1966, to a moderately affluent middle-class Arain family.[8] He was educated at Islamia College in Lahore, where he played as an opening bowler and batsman.[8] Like several other Pakistani cricketers during the 1980s, his inclusion into the national side was at the behest of a senior player in the team, which in Akram's case, was Javed Miandad.[9]
At the age of 30, Akram was diagnosed with diabetes. "I remember what a shock it was because I was a healthy sportsman with no history of diabetes in my family, so I didn't expect it at all. It seemed strange that it happened to me when I was 30, but it was a very stressful time and doctors said that can trigger it."[10] Since then he has actively sought to be involved in various awareness campaigns for diabetes.[11]
He married Huma in 1995. They had two sons Tahmoor(1996) and Akbar(2000)[12] from their marriage of fifteen years. Huma died of multiple organ failure at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, India on 25 October 2009.[13]
International career
First-class cricket
In 1988 he signed for Lancashire County Cricket Club in England and went on to become their most successful overseas players. From 1988 to 1998, he opened their bowling attack in their ECB Trophy, Benson and Hedges Cup and National League tournaments. He was a favorite of the local British fans who used to sing a song called "Wasim for England" at Lancashire's matches. In 1998, with Akram as captain Lancashire won the ECB Trophy and Axa League and finished second in the championship tournament despite losing only five matches in all competitions throughout the season. Apart from the National League second division title in 2003, this was the last time Lancashire won a trophy.[14]
Test cricket
Akram made his Test cricket debut for Pakistan against New Zealand in 1985[15] and in only his second Test match, he claimed 10 wickets.[16] A few weeks prior to his selection into the Pakistan team, he was an unknown club cricketer who had failed to make it even to his college team. He came to the trials at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in Pakistan, but for the first two days he did not get a chance to bowl. On the third day he got a chance; his performance convincing Javed Miandad to insist upon his inclusion in the national team.[9] Akram was hence given an opportunity to play for Pakistan, without any significant domestic experience. In the 1987 Cricket World Cup, when Pakistan played against the West Indies, Akram bowled to Viv Richards in the late overs of the innings but Richards, who is regarded as the best batsman during that period, struggled against Akram's bowling performances.
Akram's rise in international cricket was rapid during the late 1980s. When Pakistan toured the West Indies in 1988, he looked to be the fastest bowler between the two sides. However, a groin injury impeded his career in the late 1980s. Following two surgeries, he re-emerged in the 1990s as a fast bowler who focused more on swing and accurate bowling.[17]
One Day International
Akram started his ODI career against New Zealand in Pakistan in 1984 under the Captaincy of Zaheer Abbass.[18] He rose to prominence taking 5 wickets in his just 3rd ODI against a strong Australian side in 1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship who would be future winners of 1987 World Cup. His wickets included that of Kepler Wessels, Dean Jones and Captain Allan Border.[19]
Rise to prominence (1983- Dec 1991)
In 1984-85 Rothmans Four-Nations Cup and 1985-86 Rothmans Sharjah Cup he took 5 wickets with a run rate of under 3.50. time. He started improving his bowling with the passage of time taking help from senior Pakistani member Imran Khan.
The 1985-1986 Austral-Asia Cup involved Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka playing in UAE Sharjah. Wasim Akram with the help of Abdul Qadir bowled out New Zealand's batting line up for just 64 in the Second Semi final of Cup. Pakistan won that game with more than 27 overs to spare obtaining one of the biggest wins in Pakistani history. In the Final against India he and Imran (captain at that time) shared five wickets between them. His wickets included Dilip Vengsarkar and Ravi Shastri. Akram was becoming the darling of swing in Sharjah. His bowling was difficult to read, causing batsmen problems especially during the latter half of innings.
In 1987 Reliance World Cup held for the 1st time in the sub-continent, Akram struggled on Pakistani pitches where he managed only 7 wickets with an average of over 40 in 7 matches. Akram played West Indies, Sri Lanka and England twice. All group matches were played in Pakistan.
Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram
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