A look at the amazing career of Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram is a legend of cricket and one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. He was born in Lahore, Pakistan on June 3, 1966, and made his international debut in 1984 at the age of 18. He played for Pakistan for 19 years, captaining the team in 109 matches across all formats. He also played for Lancashire, Hampshire, Pakistan Automobiles Corporation and Pakistan International Airlines in domestic cricket.

Akram was known as the “Sultan of Swing” for his mastery over swing and seam bowling. He could move the ball both ways in the air and off the pitch, and also had a lethal bouncer and a deceptive slower delivery. He was equally effective with the new and old ball, and could bowl long spells without losing his pace or accuracy. He was also a handy lower-order batsman who scored three Test centuries and six ODI fifties.

Akram holds several records and achievements in cricket history. He is the only bowler to take more than 400 wickets in both Tests and ODIs, and the second-highest wicket-taker in ODI history with 502 scalps. He is also the only bowler to take two hat-tricks in both Tests and ODIs, and the only one to take four five-wicket hauls in consecutive Tests. He was part of Pakistan’s World Cup-winning team in 1992, where he was named the player of the final for his match-winning spell against England. He also led Pakistan to the final of the 1999 World Cup, where they lost to Australia.

Akram retired from international cricket in 2003, after playing 104 Tests and 356 ODIs. He then became a cricket commentator, coach and mentor for various teams and players around the world. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest left-arm fast bowlers ever and has been praised by many legends of the game for his skill and impact. He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009, and received the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, the second-highest civilian award in Pakistan, in 2011.