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Pakistani cricket commentator, coach and former cricket captain of the Pakistan national cricket team. Author: Kolkata Knight Riders.

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram was born on 3 June 1966 to a Punjabi family in Lahore. Akram is a Pakistani former cricket, captain of the Pakistan national cricket team and a cricket commentator.

During the 150th anniversary of Wisden Cricketer’s Almanack, he was the only Pakistani cricketer to be named in an all-time Test world XI. Wasim is well-established among the greatest fast bowlers of all time. He is also regarded as the greatest left-arm fast bowler in cricket history.

During the 2003 world cup, he was the first bowler to reach the 500 wicket mark in ODI cricket. He was ranked as the best player of all time by Wisden.

On 2009 September 30, He was among the five new members inducted into the ICC Cricket hall of fame. He was the bowling coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders. Let’s learn more remarkable facts about Wasim Akram.

1. Akram was Diagnosed with Diabetes at an Early Age

Former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram. Author: India Inclusion Summit.

Despite being fit and physically active, Akram was diagnosed with diabetes at an early age. He was 30 years old.

He lost eight kgs within two months. However, he never gave up on his career. He dedicated himself to hard training and drinking water frequently.

He also made sure to have enough sleep for his health. With this condition, he managed to face the West Indies. He also managed to play for Pakistan for another six years and touched great heights.

2. He was a Favourite of the Local British Fans During his Domestic Career

Former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram, Umesh Yadav during IPL – 2015. Author: Kolkata Knight Riders.

Akram signed for Lancashire County Cricket Club in England in 1988. He opened their bowling attacks in their NatWest Trophy from 1988 to 1998. He also opened their attacks in Benson and Hedges cup, and Sunday League tournaments.

Local British fans used to sing a song called Wasim for England, he was their favourite. Lancashire won the NatWest Trophy and Sunday League when he was captain. It also emerged as the second in the county championship. This after losing five matches in all competitions during the season.

3. Akram was Successful during his First-Class Debut against International Team

Former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram. Photo Sourced from

Akram’s Test cricket debut was for Pakistan against New Zealand. This was between the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan s (BCCP) Patron’s XI against New Zealand at Rawalpindi in November 1984.

He marked the occasion by taking ten wickets in the first innings. Akram joined the trials at Gaddafi stadium in Lahore in Pakistan. However, for the first two days, he did not get a chance to bowl. On the third, he secured the chance.

Wasim’s performance excited Javed Miandad who insisted upon his inclusion in the national team. Akram was allowed to play for Pakistan.

4. Wasim Akram was a Hat-tricks Galore

He Was one of the most feared bowlers of his day. Wisem took five wickets with a run of less than 3.50. This was during the Rothmans Four- nations cup and the Rothmans Sharjah cup.

During the Austral- Asia cup, Akram with the help of Abdul Qadir bowled out New Zealand. They battled line-Up for 64 in the second semi-final of the cup.

Pakistan won the game with more than 27 overs spare. This is one of the biggest wins in Pakistani history. During the finals against India, Akram and Imran khan shared five wickets.

During the Benson and Hedges world series. Akram managed figures of 4 for 25 against Australia. He took his hundredth wicked at Sharjah. This was during the 1989-1990 champions Trophy.

For the second time in his career, he took a five-wicket haul. During the same match, he took his first hat-trick against West Indies. In 1990, Wiseman took his second ODI hat-trick against Australia.

5. Akram was a Significant Figure In the 1992 Cricket World Cup

Pakistani coach and former cricket captain of Pakistan national cricket team Wasim. Author; Kolkata Knight Riders.

The 1992 Cricket world cup was held in Australia and New Zealand. Akram played a major role in Pakistan winning the tournament.

In the final, against England, his innings of 33 runs off 19 balls pushed Pakistan to a score of 249 runs for 6 wickets. His performances earned him the Man of the Match award for the final.

6. Akram Wasim was one of Two Bowlery To Take 500 ODI Wickets

Wasim Akram in a previous event. Photo Sourced from

During the 2003 world cup in South Africa, he became the first man to take 500 ODI wickets. His finally tally stands at 502.

This was later broken by Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan. The third-highest wicket-taker in ODIs is Akram s former teammate Waqar Younis, who stands way behind at 416. Muralitharan and Akram are the only two bowlers with over 400 wickets in Test and ODIs.

7. Akram was Appointed the Bowling Coach Consultant of Kolkata Knight Riders

In 2010, he was appointed as the coach of Kolkata Knight Riders. During his coaching career, he played a vital role in the grooming of Indian pacers. These were Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav.

The two owe their victory in international cricket to the bowling legend. He was responsible for the signing of Pakistani domestic left-arm bowler Muhammad Irfan.

8. Akram was the Most successful Left-arm Bowler in History

Wasim is a left-arm fast bowler who could bowl with a significant pace. He is also the only left-arm bowler to take over 400 wickets in Test cricket.

He is second only to Sri Lankan off-spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of ODI wickets, with 502 in total. The most successful left-arm bowler in the game in history.

9. Akram Co-Wrote his Autobiography Wasim

Akram co-wrote his autobiography Wasin in 1998. He collaborated with the British sports journalist Patrick Murphy.

Additionally, he was a model at the Pantene Bridal Couture week in 2011. This was an event of style 360. In 2018, Akram joined Cricingif as a stakeholder director.

10. He Acted in a Movie with His Wife

Captain Wasim Akram and his wife, Shaniera Akram, acted in the Money Back Guarantee. This was his wife’s silver screen debut.

Shaniera Akram is an Australian social worker based in Pakistan. They met in 2011 at a dinner with mutual friends. Wasim was visiting Melbourne for cricket commentating duties.

Wasim is well established and celebrated in Pakistan. He is undoubtedly the greatest fast bowler. He added various tricks in his armoury that many fast bowlers are copying to this day.