Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Please Join Exclusive Evening with International No:1 Former Players on Thursday, 21 January 7pm at Spice of Life Function Centre, Harris Park Sydney
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Sultan of Swing and All time King Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram was born on June 3, 1966 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. He is an erstwhile Pakistani Cricketer and pioneer of reverse swing bowling. Wasim Akram, the finest fast bowler ever, has headed the cricket team of Pakistan in Test as well as One Day Internationals. He holds world records for taking the most wickets in ODIs.
Wasim Akram
started his cricket career by signing a contract with the Lancashire Country
Cricket Club in England. While playing for the Lancashire Cricket Club, he
became the most successful overseas player and favourite of the local fans who
used to sing ‘Wasim for England’ during Lancashire matches. Under the captaincy
of Wasim Akram, Lancashire won the ECB trophy and Axa League as well.
Wasim Akram was lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time. It was
during his practice in the under 19 nets when Javed Miandad passed by and was
super impressed with his ability to move the ball at such a great speed. Javed
Miandad recommended Wasim Akram to be included in a squad of 14 for a three
days in a match against New Zealand. Later, he was paired with Imran Khan who
became his teacher at the World Championship of Cricket in Australia.
Wasim Akram made his Test Cricket debut in 1985 and proved himself as a fine
exponent of reverse swing in his second test match by achieving 10 wickets.
During the renowned victory of Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup, Wasim Akram’s
performance was instrumental. He was the top bowler of Pakistan in the 2003
World Cup as well.
Wasim Akram achieved various records throughout his
life time for his extraordinary performance. He has the record of taking the
most wickets in World Cup – a total of 55 in 38 matches. He is one of three
bowlers who have taken four hat-tricks in International Cricket, the others
being Hugh Trumble and Jimmy Mathews.
Wasim Akram possessed accurate control
of line and length along with seam and swing bowling skills. Due to his mastery
of reverse swing, Wasim Akram has earned the title of ‘Sultan of Swing’. Due to
his excellent performance, Wasim Akram has also been awarded the Wisdom
Cricketer of the Year Award in 1993. He holds a Pakistani record of taking 414
wickets in 104 matches in test cricket. He has remained the first bowler in
International Cricket who has taken 400 wickets in both forms of
cricket.
After his retirement in 2003, Wasim Akram has taken up
commentary and can be seen as a sportscaster. Wasim Akram is also serving as a
bowling coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders, one of the ten Indian Premier
League Franchises. Memories of Wasim Akram in the cricket history will remain
for ages; his lethal bowling will be acknowledged and accredited for years to
come.
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Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar was born 13 August 1975. He is a former Pakistani Cricketer and a legendary bowler who is widely regarded as the fastest bowler of all time bowling at speeds up to 161.3 km/h. He was nicknamed the "Rawalpindi Express", as a tribute to his hometown and fast bowling.
Shoaib
Akhtar made his Test debut in November 1997 as an opening fast bowler and
played his first One Day International 3 months later. Shoaib Akhtar retired
from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup.
