“Wasim Akram: Cricket Maestro, Lancashire Captain, and Iconic Fast Bowler Celebrated for Prowess and Leadership in International Cricket.”
Born name : Chaudhry Wasim Akram Arain
Born : 3 June 1966 (age 57)
Place : Lahore, West Pakistan
(now, Punjab, Pakistan)
Nickname :
Sultan of Swing
Height : 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Batting : Left-handed
Bowling : Left-arm fast
Role : Fast Bowler Bowling All-Rounder
Spouse :
Huma Akram (m. 1995; died 2009)
Shaniera Akram (m. 2013)
About
Wasim Akram, born on June 3, 1966, is a cricket legend from Pakistan. Widely considered one of the greatest fast bowlers and the premier left-arm pacer, he’s often called The Sultan of Swing. In 2013, he was the lone Pakistani cricketer in the all-time Test World XI, celebrating Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack’s 150th anniversary.
As captain, Akram led Pakistan to the 1999 Cricket World Cup finals, where they lost to Australia by 8 wickets. Known for his left-arm pace and remarkable swing, he holds the world record for the most wickets in List A cricket, an impressive 881.
Wasim Akram In ODIs, he ranks second, with 502 wickets, just behind Sri Lankan off-spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan. Acknowledged as a pioneer of reverse swing bowling, Akram achieved the historic 500-wicket mark in ODI cricket during the 2003 World Cup.
In 2002, Wisden ranked him as the top ODI bowler of all time, with a remarkable rating of 1223.5, surpassing cricket legends like Allan Donald, Imran Khan, Waqar Younis, Joel Garner, Glenn McGrath, and Muralitharan.
Over his illustrious ODI career spanning 356 matches, he secured 23 four-wicket hauls. Inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in September 2009, Akram later delved into coaching.
He served as the bowling coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League and contributed to teams like Islamabad United and Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League.
Recognizing his lifetime contributions, the Government of Pakistan honored Wasim Akram with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz on March 23, 2019. His enduring legacy in cricket remains unparalleled.
Early and Personal life
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year (1993)
- Lux Style Award (Most Stylish, 2003)
- Most International Hat-Tricks (Shared Record)
- Highest Wicket-Taker in Pakistan (Tests)
- Highest Wicket-Taker in Pakistan (ODIs)
- First to 400 Wickets (Tests, ODIs)
Wasim Akram, born on June 3, 1966, comes from an Arain Punjabi Muslim family in Lahore. His father, Chaudhary Muhammed Akram, originally from a village near Amritsar, moved to Kamonki in Pakistani Punjab after the partition of India in 1947.
His mother is Begum Akram, and he has three siblings: two elder brothers, Naeem Akram and Nadeem Akram, and a younger sister, Sofia Akram. Wasim Akram received his education at Government Islamia College, Civil Lines, Lahore.
At the age of 30, Akram was diagnosed with diabetes, a surprising revelation for a healthy athlete with no family history of the condition. Stress during that period was identified as a possible trigger. Since then, he actively participates in diabetes awareness campaigns.
In 1995, Akram married Huma Mufti, and they had two sons, Tahmoor and Akbar, during their 14-year marriage. Tragically, Huma passed away due to multiple organ failure at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, India, on October 25, 2009.
On July 7, 2013, news surfaced that Akram got engaged to an Australian woman, Shaniera Thompson, whom he met during a visit to Melbourne in 2011.
The couple tied the knot on August 12, 2013, in a simple ceremony in Lahore, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Akram, his wife, and his children. The family relocated from Lahore to Karachi.
Announcing on September 3, 2014, the couple revealed they were expecting their first child together, adding to the Akram family. On December 27, 2014, Shaniera gave birth to a baby girl named Aiyla Sabeen Rose Akram in Melbourne.
Domestic Career
Wasim Akram initiated his cricket journey in tape ball cricket, later joining Ludhiana Gymkhana with support from his friend Khalid Mahmood. His entry into first-class cricket occurred in a match for BCCP Patron’s Eleven against the New Zealand cricket team.
In 1988, Akram inked a deal with Lancashire County Cricket Club in England. Spanning from 1988 to 1998, he spearheaded their bowling attack in the NatWest Trophy, Benson and Hedges Cup, and Sunday League tournaments.
Becoming a crowd favorite, local British fans chanted “Wasim for England” at Lancashire’s matches. Under Akram’s captaincy in 1998, Lancashire secured victories in the NatWest Trophy and Sunday League and claimed the runner-up spot in the County Championship, having lost only five matches across all competitions that season.
International career
Test cricket
Wasim Akram debuted in Test cricket against New Zealand in 1985, impressively claiming 10 wickets in his second match.
Initially an unknown club cricketer, he faced initial setbacks before a trial at Gaddafi Stadium changed his fate. Despite minimal domestic experience, Javed Miandad’s conviction led to Akram’s inclusion in the national team.
Rapidly ascending in the late 1980s, Akram joined the 1988 West Indies tour but faced a setback due to a groin injury. Overcoming surgeries, he returned in the 1990s as a swing-focused, accurate fast bowler.
Notably, he currently holds the record for the highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in Test cricket, with 414 wickets.
One Day International
Wasim Akram , beginning his ODI journey against New Zealand in 1984 under Zaheer Abbas’s captaincy, Akram gained recognition by securing five wickets in his third ODI against Australia during the 1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship. Notably, he holds the record as Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in One Day Internationals.
Early days
Wasim Akram , during the 1984–85 Rothmans Four-Nations Cup and the 1985–86 Rothmans Sharjah Cup, Akram showcased exceptional bowling, securing five wickets with a run rate under 3.50.
The 1985–1986 Austral-Asia Cup in Sharjah saw Akram and Abdul Qadir dismantling New Zealand’s batting for 64 in the semi-final, leading to one of Pakistan’s most significant victories. In the final against India, he and Imran Khan claimed five wickets.
In the 1987 Cricket World Cup, held in South Asia for the first time, Akram faced challenges on Pakistani pitches, managing only 7 wickets with an average of over 40 runs per wicket across 7 matches. Despite the struggle, he played against West Indies, Sri Lanka, and England twice, all matches hosted in Pakistan.
In the 1988–89 Benson and Hedges World Series, Akram delivered a standout performance, securing figures of 4 for 25 against Australia.
Records
Wasim Akram earned 17 Man-of-the-Match awards in 104 Tests, boasting four hat-tricks—two in ODIs and two in Tests—sharing the international hat-trick record with Lasith Malinga. With 22 Man-of-the-Match awards in ODIs, his significant contributions include 326 wickets in 199 ODI match wins at under 19 apiece, with a run rate of 3.70 and 18 four-wicket hauls.
In Tests, his remarkable 257 not-out against Zimbabwe in 1996, the highest innings by a number-8 batsman, featured 12 sixes, setting the record for the most sixes in a single Test innings.
Before his retirement, Akram was among eight senior players dropped for the 2003 Sharjah Cup, and he was subsequently omitted from the Pakistan squad for the Bank Alfalah Cup triangular series. Excluded from the team, he missed a farewell match but fulfilled his contract to play for Hampshire until the conclusion of the English season.
Award and records
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year (1993): Wasim Akram was honored with the prestigious Wisden Cricketer of the Year award in 1993 for his outstanding contributions to the sport.
- Lux Style Award for Most Stylish Sports Person (2003): Recognizing his style and flair, Akram received the Lux Style Award for Most Stylish Sports Person in 2003.
- Record for Most International Hat-Tricks (Shared with Lasith Malinga): Akram holds the record for the most international hat-tricks, achieving two in both ODIs and Tests. This distinction is shared with Lasith Malinga.
- Highest Wicket-Taker for Pakistan in Test Cricket: Akram took 414 wickets in 104 Test matches, establishing a Pakistani record for the highest number of wickets.
- Highest Wicket-Taker for Pakistan in ODIs: With 502 wickets in 356 ODIs, Akram holds the record for being Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in One Day Internationals.
- First Bowler to Take 400 Wickets in Both Test and ODI Cricket: Wasim Akram was the pioneer in international cricket to surpass 400 wickets in both Test and ODI formats.
- Most Wickets in Cricket World Cups (55 in 38 Matches): Akram held the record for the most wickets in Cricket World Cups, totaling 55 in 38 matches, until it was later surpassed by Glenn McGrath in 2007.
- Most ODI Wickets as a Seamer (502): As a testament to his bowling prowess, Akram held the record for the most ODI wickets as a seamer, tallying 502 wickets.
- Most Wickets in ODI History at a Single Ground (Sharjah Cricket Stadium – 122): Akram jointly holds the record for the most wickets in ODI history at a single ground (Sharjah Cricket Stadium), tied with Shakib Al Hasan.
- Most ODI Wickets as Captain: Akram holds the record for taking the most ODI wickets as a captain during his illustrious cricket career.
