LAHORE: Former Pakistan Test captain and legendary pacer Wasim Akram turned 54 on Wednesday (June 3). Wasim is among the most successful bowlers to have played the game. He stands fifth in the list of most wickets by a pacer in international cricket, picking up 916 wickets across formats. Only Glenn McGrath of Australia with 949 scalps has picked more wickets as a pacer. Wasim made his international debut in 1984 and played till 2003, in a career spanning 19 years. He picked 502 ODI wickets from 356 matches and 414 wickets from 104 Tests. He was useful with the bat too, and has made three centuries including a 257 not out against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura in 1996. Wasim also helped Pakistan win the 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. His bowling performance in the final, which included two wickets in two balls at a crucial stage of the match, played a key role in Pakistan’s path to victory. The left-armer is the only bowler to have achieved four hat-tricks in international cricket, with two each in Tests and ODIs. Wasim retired soon after the 2003 World Cup. Post retirement, he has been busy with media assignments working as a commentator and expert. In 2010, he also signed up with Kolkata Knight Riders as their bowling coach in the Indian Premier League. Wasim has also been involved with the Pakistan Super League. He was the director and bowling coach of Islamabad United in 2016 and 2017 and has also worked with Multan Sultans in the same capacity. He is now chairman and bowling coach of Karachi Kings.
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