View source for Wasim Akram

{{Short description|Pakistani former international cricketer (born 1962)}}
{{Redirect|Sultan of Swing|the song by Dire Straits|Sultans of Swing}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name               = Wasim Akram | honorific_suffix   = [[Hilal-e-Imtiaz|HI]]
| image              = Wasim-akram-gesf-2018-7878.jpg
| caption            = Akram in 2018
| country            = Pakistan

| fullname           = Wasim Akram 
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1966|6|3}}
| birth_place        = [[Lahore]], [[West Pakistan]]

| family             = {{marriage|Huma Akram|1995|2009|end=died}}<br />{{marriage|[[Shaniera Akram]]|2013}}
| height             = 6ft 3in<ref>{{cite web |title=Akram keeps his tryst with destiny |url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/IND/FEATURES/MOM/WC2003/ODI28.html |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|access-date=20 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304154816/https://static.espncricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/IND/FEATURES/MOM/WC2003/ODI28.html|archive-date=4 March 2025|quote=[…] Wasim Akram hasn't done too badly. Playing in his 354th one-day international at Paarl on Tuesday, the legendary six foot three inches tall left-arm quick […]}}</ref>
| batting            = Left-handed
| bowling            = Left-arm [[Fast bowling|fast]]

| role               = [[Bowling (cricket)|Bowler]]

| nickname           = Sultan of Swing
| international      = true
| internationalspan  = 1984–2003

| testdebutdate      = 25 January
| testdebutyear      = 1985
| testdebutagainst   = New Zealand
| testcap            = 102
| lasttestdate       = 8 May
| lasttestyear       = 2002
| lasttestagainst    = Bangladesh

| odidebutdate       = 23 November
| odidebutyear       = 1984
| odidebutagainst    = New Zealand
| odicap             = 53
| lastodidate        = 4 March
| lastodiyear        = 2003
| lastodiagainst     = Zimbabwe
| odishirt           = 3

| club5              = [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]]
| year5              = 2003
| club4              = [[Pakistan International Airlines cricket team|PIA]]
| year4              = 1992–2003
| club3              = [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]]
| year3              = 1988–1998
| club2              = [[Lahore cricket teams|Lahore]]
| year2              = 1985–1987, 1997–1998, 2000–2001
| club1              = [[Pakistan Automobiles Corporation cricket team|Pakistan Automobiles Corporation]]
| year1              = 1984–1986
| columns            = 4
| column1            = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| matches1           = 104
| runs1              = 2,898
| bat avg1           = 22.64
| 100s/50s1          = 3/7
| top score1         = 257[[not out|*]]
| deliveries1        = 22,627
| wickets1           = 414
| bowl avg1          = 23.62
| fivefor1           = 25
| tenfor1            = 5
| best bowling1      = 7/119
| catches/stumpings1 = 44/–
| column2            = [[One Day International|ODI]]
| matches2           = 356
| runs2              = 3,717
| bat avg2           = 16.52
| 100s/50s2          = 0/6
| top score2         = 86
| deliveries2        = 18,186
| wickets2           = 502
| bowl avg2          = 23.52
| fivefor2           = 6
| tenfor2            = 0
| best bowling2      = 5/15
| catches/stumpings2 = 88/–
| column3            = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches3           = 257
| runs3              = 7,161
| bat avg3           = 22.73
| 100s/50s3          = 7/24
| top score3         = 257[[not out|*]]
| deliveries3        = 50,278
| wickets3           = 1,042
| bowl avg3          = 21.64
| fivefor3           = 70
| tenfor3            = 16
| best bowling3      = 8/30
| catches/stumpings3 = 97/–
| column4            = [[List A cricket|LA]]
| matches4           = 594
| runs4              = 6,993
| bat avg4           = 18.90
| 100s/50s4          = 0/17
| top score4         = 89[[not out|*]]
| deliveries4        = 29,719
| wickets4           = 881
| bowl avg4          = 21.91
| fivefor4           = 12
| tenfor4            = 0
| best bowling4      = 5/11
| catches/stumpings4 = 147/–
| date               = 4 April
| year               = 2012
| source             = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/43547.html CricInfo
| medaltemplates = <!--MENTION HOST NATIONS FOR TEAM SPORTS-->{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{cr|PAK}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Cricket World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[1992 Cricket World Cup|1992 Australia and New Zealand]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1999 Cricket World Cup|1999 England-Wales<br/>-Ireland-Scotland-Netherlands]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Asia Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2000 Asia Cup|2000 Bangladesh]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1986 Asia Cup|1986 Sri Lanka]]|}}
}}
{{Contains special characters|Urdu}}

'''Wasim Akram''' {{post-nominals|list=[[Hilal-e-Imtiaz|HI]]}} ([[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], {{Langx|ur|{{nq|وَسیم اکرم}}}}; born 3 June 1966) is a Pakistani [[cricket commentator]], [[Coach (sport)|coach]], and former [[cricketer]] and [[captain (cricket)|captain]] of the [[Pakistan national cricket team]]. Akram is regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all time. He is often revered as '''The Sultan of Swing'''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Who is the greatest ODI bowler of all time?|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/who-is-the-greatest-odi-bowler-of-all-time-1239117|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Best Fast Bowlers of All Time|url=https://thesporting.blog/blog/the-best-fast-bowlers-of-all-time|website=The Sporting Blog}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Best Cricket Bowlers of All Time|url=https://www.stadiumtalk.com/s/greatest-cricket-bowlers-7287c64e04084417|website=www.stadiumtalk.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Qamar Ahmed|date=8 March 2013|title=Wasim Akram was the best I ever faced, says Kallis|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/791225/wasim-akram-was-the-best-i-ever-faced-says-kallis|work=dawn.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Khabir Uddin Mughal|title=Wasim Akram One of Greatest Bowlers of All Time.|url=http://sporteology.com/wasim-akram-one-of-greatest-bowlers-of-all-time/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328220826/http://sporteology.com/wasim-akram-one-of-greatest-bowlers-of-all-time/|archive-date=28 March 2015|access-date=3 March 2015|work=Sporteology}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Khabir Uddin Mughal|title=Wasim Akram, Best ODI Bowler in History.|url=http://sporteology.com/wasim-akram-best-odi-bowler-in-history/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302064159/http://sporteology.com/wasim-akram-best-odi-bowler-in-history/|archive-date=2 March 2015|access-date=3 March 2015|work=Sporteology}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Khabir Uddin Mughal|title=Top 10 Greatest Cricketers of All Time.|url=http://sporteology.com/top-10-greatest-cricketers-time/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022001537/http://sporteology.com/top-10-greatest-cricketers-time/|archive-date=22 October 2014|access-date=27 March 2015|work=Sporteology}}</ref>
In October 2013, Wasim Akram was the only Pakistani cricketer to be named in an [[Template:Wisden All-Time World Test XI|all-time Test World XI]] to mark the 150th anniversary of ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Don Bradman, Shane Warne in Wisden's XI |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/don-bradman-shane-warne-in-wisdens-xi/story-e6frg7rx-1226745875416 |access-date=23 October 2013 |newspaper=theaustralian.com |date=23 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sachin Tendulkar in Wisden's All-time World Test XI |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/215990-sachin-tendulkar-in-wisdens-all-time-world-test-xi |access-date=23 October 2013 |newspaper=[[NDTV]] |date=23 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023230756/http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/215990-sachin-tendulkar-in-wisdens-all-time-world-test-xi |archive-date=23 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sachin Tendulkar named in Wisden all-time World Test XI |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-sachin-tendulkar-named-in-wisden-all-time-world-test-xi-1907777 |access-date=23 October 2013 |newspaper=DNA India |date=23 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=WG Grace and Shane Warne in Wisden all-time World Test XI |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24640224 |access-date=23 October 2013 |newspaper=BBC.co.uk |date=23 October 2013}}</ref> As captain, he led Pakistan to the finals of the [[1999 Cricket World Cup]], where they lost to Australia by 8 wickets. He was a part of the Pakistani squad which won the [[1992 Cricket World Cup]].

A left-arm [[Fast bowling|fast bowler]] who could bowl with significant pace, he holds the world record for most wickets in [[List A cricket]], with 881, and is second only to Sri Lankan [[off-spin]] bowler [[Muttiah Muralitharan]] in terms of [[One Day International|ODI]] wickets, with 502 in total. He is considered to be one of the founders, and perhaps the finest exponent of, [[reverse swing]] bowling.<ref name="wasim_cricinfo">{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/43547.html |title=Wasim Akram |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref><ref name="odi_wkts">{{citation |url=http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/ODIS/BOWLING/ODI_BOWL_MOST_WKTS.html |title=Career Bowling – Most Wickets |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=30 April 2007 |access-date=21 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629072629/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/ODIS/BOWLING/ODI_BOWL_MOST_WKTS.html |archive-date=29 June 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="lista_wkts">{{citation |url=http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/LISTA/BOWLING/LISTA_MOST_WKTS_CAREER.html |title=List A Limited-Overs Most Wickets in Career |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=30 April 2007 |access-date=21 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031231020950/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/LISTA/BOWLING/LISTA_MOST_WKTS_CAREER.html |archive-date=31 December 2003 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

He was the first bowler to reach the 500-wicket mark in ODI cricket, and he did so during the [[2003 Cricket World Cup|2003 World Cup]]. In 2002, Wisden released its only list of the best players of all time. Wasim was ranked as the best bowler in ODI of all time, with a rating of 1223.5, ahead of [[Allan Donald]], [[Imran Khan]], [[Waqar Younis]], [[Joel Garner]], [[Glenn McGrath]] and [[Muttiah Muralitharan|Muralitharan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/128517.html |title=All-time W100 ODI Top 10s |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=27 January 2003 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> Wasim took 23 four-wicket hauls in 356 ODI matches played.<ref name="wasim_cricinfo" /> On 30 September 2009, Akram was one of five new members inducted into the [[ICC Cricket Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/page/391062.html |title=ICC Cricket Hall of Fame |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.in.msn.com/cricket/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3261064 |title=Wasim Akram, Steve Waugh inducted into ICC Hall of Fame |publisher=[[MSN Sports]] |access-date=6 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091002134250/http://sports.in.msn.com/cricket/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3261064 |archive-date=2 October 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was the bowling coach of the [[Kolkata Knight Riders]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iplt20.com/teams/kolkata-knight-riders |title=Kolkata Knight Riders |publisher=iplt20.com}}</ref> However, he took a break from the position for [[IPL 6]], citing a need to spend more time with family in Karachi,<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2013/content/story/606432.html "IPL news : Wasim Akram takes break as KKR bowling coach | Cricket News | Indian Premier League | ESPN Cricinfo"]. ''Cricinfo''.</ref> and he took a further break from [[IPL 2017]]; he was replaced by Lakshmipathy Balaji.

He was working as director and bowling coach of [[Islamabad United]] in [[Pakistan Super League]] until he left to join [[Multan Sultans]] in August 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20228187/multan-sultans-reunite-wasim-waqar-psl|title=Multan Sultans reunite Wasim, Waqar for PSL|date=2 August 2017|website=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> In October 2018, he was named in the [[Pakistan Cricket Board]]'s seven-member advisory cricket committee.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yaqoob |first1=Mohammad |title=PCB forms seven-member cricket committee |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1441664 |work=Dawn |date=27 October 2018}}</ref> In November 2018, he joined PSL franchisee [[2021 Karachi Kings season|Karachi Kings]] as President.
<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://pakistansuperleaguepsl.com/psl-4-wasim-akram-joins-karachi-kings-as-president/|title=PSL 4: Wasim Akram Joins Karachi Kings as President|date=2018-11-14|work=Live Cricket Streaming Online|access-date=2018-11-14}}</ref>

The Government of Pakistan awarded him the [[Hilal-e-Imtiaz]] on 23 March 2019 for his lifetime achievements in the field of cricket.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1182145|title="You're proof that dreams come true," Shaniera congratulates Waseem Akram on receiving the Hilal-i-Imtiaz|date=24 March 2019|website=dawn.com}}</ref>

== Early and personal life ==

=== Family background ===
Wasim Akram was born on 3 June 1966 to a [[Punjabi Muslim|Punjabi]] family in [[Lahore]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101116190938/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/43547.html "Wasim Akram"]. ''Cricinfo''.</ref> Akram's father, Chaudhary Muhammad Akram Arain, was originally from a village near [[Amritsar]] and the family moved to [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Pakistani Punjab]] after the [[partition of India]] in 1947.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2005/may/03look.htm|title=First Look: Wasim Akram returns|website=www.rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=Jr|date=2020-06-03|title=Wasim Akram Turns 54: A Look At His Lesser Known Facts|url=https://cricketaddictor.com/birthday-special-facts/wasim-akram-lesser-known-facts/|access-date=2020-12-01|website=CricketAddictor|language=en-US}}</ref> Their ancestral village is called Chawinda Devi and the family belongs to the [[Arain]] community.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Ishtiaq |title=The Punjab: Bloodied, Partitioned and Cleansed |publisher=Classy Pub |year=2022 |quote=On Tuesday, 3 May 2005, cricket legend and arguably one of the greatest left-arm fast bowlers of all times, Pakistan’s Wasim Akram and his father Chaudhary Muhammad Akram Arain, visited their ancestral village Chawinda Devi, Amritsar district. Chawinda Devi was a mixed village with Arain and Syed biradaris of Muslims and Sikh and Hindus constituting an equal population. Wasim’s family belonged to the Arain section of Chawinda Devi.}}</ref> 

His father's first job was as a court proofreader and he also operated an automotive spare parts business while for some time he ran a single-screen cinema, the ''Niagara'', located in the [[Ferozepur Road]], because of which Akram would develop an early love for [[Hindi cinema]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Akram |first1=Wasim |title=Sultan: A Memoir |last2=Haigh |first2=Gideon |publisher=Hardie Grant Publishing |year=2022 |quote=My father's first job was as a court proofreader. For many years he ran an automotive spare parts business (...) perhaps the only exotic thing about him was that for a time he ran a single-screen cinema, the Niagara, in Ferozpur Road.}}</ref>

His mother's name is Begum Akram, and he has three siblings: two elder brothers Naeem Akram and Nadeem Akram and a younger sister, Sofia Akram.

=== Education ===
He completed his early education in Lahore from   [[Government Islamia College, Civil Lines, Lahore|Government Islamia College]], Civil Lines, Lahore.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wasim Akram {{!}} Biography, Stats, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Wasim-Akram |access-date=2022-02-27 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="tns">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/862303-baptism-by-fire-fewest-first-class-matches-before-test-debut-for-pakistan|title=Baptism by fire: Fewest first-class matches before Test debut for Pakistan|website=[[The News International]]}}</ref>

=== Health ===
At the age of 30, Akram was diagnosed with [[diabetes]]. "I remember what a shock it was because I was a healthy sportsman with no history of diabetes in my family, so I didn't expect it at all. It seemed strange that it happened to me when I was 30, but it was a very stressful time and doctors said that can trigger it."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetes-type1/Pages/WasimAkram.aspx |title=After the shock, I took control |publisher=National Health Service |access-date=28 May 2012}}</ref> Since then he has sought to be involved in various awareness campaigns for diabetes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsline.com.pk/NewsDec2004/health1dec.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416073959/http://newsline.com.pk/NewsDec2004/health1dec.htm |title=Dealing With Diabetes |publisher=[[Newsline (magazine)|Newsline]] |last=Rehan |first=Sohema |archive-date=16 April 2009}}</ref>

=== Relationships ===
Akram married Huma Mufti in 1995.<ref>[http://www.awamiweb.com/wasim-akram-wedding-was-held-in-1995-50617.html "Wasim Akram Wedding Was Held In 1995"]. ''Awami Web''.</ref> They had two sons from their marriage of 14 years: Tahmoor and Akbar.<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/DesiLife/article/203952 The Sultan swings by] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825181951/http://www.thestar.com/DesiLife/article/203952 |date=25 August 2011 }}. ''[[Toronto Star]].'' Retrieved on 30 April 2007.</ref> Huma died of [[multiple organ failure]] at [[Apollo Hospital]] in [[Chennai]], [[India]], on 25 October 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/431079.html |title=Pakistan / News – Akram's wife died at the age of 42 |publisher=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=25 October 2009}}</ref>

For some years he was linked by the Indian media to former Miss Universe turned actress [[Sushmita Sen]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Neha |date=8 September 2010 |title=Pak connection... |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/pak-connection/story-8vw36W6ORKc1gtcMvmWQvM.html |website=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref>

On 7 July 2013, it was reported that Akram had become engaged to an [[Australians|Australian]] woman, [[Shaniera Akram|Shaniera Thompson]], whom he had met while on a visit to [[Melbourne]] in 2011.<ref>Te Koha, Nui. [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/pakistan-cricket-great-wasim-akram-to-marry-melbourne-woman/story-fni0b8dw-1226675592370 Pakistan cricket great Wasim Akram to marry Melbourne woman] Herald Sun, 7 July 2013].</ref> Akram married Shaniera on 12 August 2013, saying he has started a new life on a happy note. He was quoted as saying, "I married Shaniera in Lahore in a simple ceremony, and this is the start of a new life for me, my wife, and for my kids."

He moved from [[Lahore]] to [[Karachi]] with his wife and children.<ref>[http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/212717-wasim-akram-marries-australian-girlfriend-shaniera-thompson "Wasim Akram marries Australian girlfriend Shaniera Thompson"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822031923/http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/212717-wasim-akram-marries-australian-girlfriend-shaniera-thompson |date=22 August 2013 }}</ref> On 3 September 2014, the couple [[tweeted]] that they were expecting their first baby—the third child of Akram.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1129634/wasim-shaniera-expecting-first-child |title='Wasim, Shaniera expecting first child |publisher=[[Herald (Pakistan)|Herald]] |work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |date=3 September 2014 |access-date=3 September 2014}}</ref> On 27 December 2014, Shaniera gave birth to a baby girl, Aiyla Sabeen Rose Akram, in Melbourne.{{Citation needed|date= July 2022}}

== Domestic career ==
Akram started his career as a tape ball cricketer.<ref name="tns"/> He later joined Ludhiana Gymkhana with the help of his friend, Khalid Mahmood.<ref name="tns"/> His first class cricket debut was for BCCP Patron's Eleven against New Zealand cricket team.<ref name="tns"/>

In 1988, Akram signed for [[Lancashire County Cricket Club]] in England. From 1988 to 1998, he opened their bowling attack in their [[NatWest Trophy]], [[Benson and Hedges Cup]], and [[Pro40|Sunday League]] tournaments. He was a favourite of the local British fans, who used to sing a song called "Wasim for England" at Lancashire's matches. In 1998, with Akram as captain, Lancashire won the NatWest Trophy and Sunday League and finished second in the [[County Championship]], having lost only five matches in all competitions during the season.<ref name="brink">{{cite web |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/countycricket2007/content/story/311431.html |title=Lancashire on the brink of history |author=Cricinfo staff |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=18 September 2007}} Retrieved on 11 October 2008.</ref>

== International career ==
=== Test cricket ===
Akram made his [[Test cricket]] debut for [[Pakistan cricket team|Pakistan]] against [[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]] in 1985,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63397.html |title=Pakistan in New Zealand Test Series – 2nd Test |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=25 January 1985 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> and in his second Test match, he claimed 10 wickets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/63398.html |title=Pakistan in New Zealand Test Series – 3rd Test |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=9 February 1985 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> A few weeks prior to his selection in the Pakistan team, he was an unknown club cricketer who had failed to make it even to his college team. He came to the trials at [[Gaddafi Stadium]] in Lahore in Pakistan, but for the first two days he did not get a chance to bowl. On the third day, he got a chance; his performance convincing [[Javed Miandad]] to insist upon his inclusion in the national team.<ref name=Javed>{{cite web |url=http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/miandad-akram-row-heating-up-in-pakistan_28766.html |title=Miandad-Akram row heating up in Pakistan |publisher=zeenews |date=4 April 2010 |access-date=2 August 2010}}</ref> Akram was hence given an opportunity to play for Pakistan, without any significant domestic experience.

Akram's rise in [[international cricket]] was rapid during the late 1980s. He was a part of the Pakistan team that toured the West Indies in 1988. However, a groin injury impeded his career in the late 1980s. Following two surgeries, he re-emerged in the 1990s as a fast bowler who focused more on swing and accurate bowling.<ref name="A stunning match-winner" />

Wasim Akram is currently the highest wicket taker for Pakistan in test cricket with 414 wickets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thecricketstop.com/2020/07/14/top-10-best-pakistani-cricketers/ |title=Top Cricketers Of Pakistan |publisher=thecricketstop }}{{Dead link|date=April 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

=== One Day International ===
Akram started his ODI career against New Zealand in Pakistan in 1984 under the captaincy of [[Zaheer Abbas]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64244.html |title=New Zealand in Pakistan ODI Series – 2nd ODI |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=23 November 1984 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> He rose to prominence by taking five wickets in his 3rd ODI against Australia in the 1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship. His wickets included those of [[Kepler Wessels]], [[Dean Jones (cricketer)|Dean Jones]], and captain [[Allan Border]]. Wasim Akram is currently  the highest wicket taker for Pakistan in One Day International cricket<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65723.html |title=Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket – 5th match, Group A |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=24 February 1985 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref>

=== Early days ===
In the 1984–85 Rothmans Four-Nations Cup and the 1985–86 Rothmans Sharjah Cup, Akram took five wickets with a run rate of less than 3.50.  The 1985–1986 [[Austral-Asia Cup]] involved [[Australia cricket team|Australia]], [[India cricket team|India]], [[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]], Pakistan and [[Sri Lanka cricket team|Sri Lanka]], and was played in [[Sharjah]], [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]]. Akram, with the help of [[Abdul Qadir (cricketer)|Abdul Qadir]], bowled out New Zealand's batting line-up for 64 in the second semi-final of the cup. Pakistan won that game with more than 27 overs to spare, obtaining one of the biggest wins in Pakistani history. In the final against India, he and [[Imran Khan]] shared five wickets. Akram's wickets included [[Dilip Vengsarkar]] and [[Ravi Shastri]].{{Citation needed|date= July 2022}}

In the [[1987 Cricket World Cup]] held for the 1st time in [[South Asia]], Akram struggled on Pakistani pitches; he managed only 7 wickets throughout, with an average of over 40 runs per wicket across all 7 matches. Akram played [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]], Sri Lanka and [[England cricket team|England]] twice. All group matches were played in Pakistan.{{Citation needed|date= July 2022}}

In the [[World Series Cup|1988–89 Benson and Hedges World Series]], Akram managed figures of 4 for 25 against Australia.<ref>{{citation |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/50/50813.html |title=Australia v Pakistan – Benson and Hedges World Series Cup 1988/89 |publisher=CricketArchive |date=2 January 1989 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref>

=== Emergence ===
Akram took his hundredth wicket at [[Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium|Sharjah]] during the 1989–1990 Champions Trophy, the 2nd Match against West Indies. His 100th wicket was that of [[Curtly Ambrose]]. In that match, he took a five-wicket haul for the second time in his career.<ref name=Hat-trick>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65847.html |title=Champions Trophy – 2nd match |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=14 October 1989 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> In the same match, Akram took his first hat-trick against [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]]. All three batsman were bowled out.<ref name=Hat-trick /><ref name=Hat-trick1>{{citation |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/263626.html |title=Records / One-Day Internationals / Bowling records / Hat-tricks |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/150771.html |title=WISDEN – Sharjah Champions' Trophy – Pakistan v West Indies 1989–90 |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=14 October 1989 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> On 4 May 1990 in Sharjah, Akram took his second ODI hat-trick against [[Australia]]. All three batsmen were bowled this time as well.<ref name=Hat-trick1 /><ref name=Hat-trick2>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/65825.html |title=Austral-Asia Cup – Final |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=4 May 1990 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref>

His best years in the late 1980s were from 1986 to 1989, during which time he took 100 wickets at 22.71 runs per wicket, and his economy rate was less than 3.9 runs per over, with a total of four 4-wicket hauls. His first two hauls against [[Sri Lanka cricket team|Sri Lanka]] and [[Bangladesh cricket team|Bangladesh]] came in Sri Lanka in 1986.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/statistics/Players/PlayerProgressBowl_ODI.asp?PlayerId=0029&Year=1986 |title=Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – ODI Cricket |publisher=howstat.com.au |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref>

Up until December 1991, Akram took 143 wickets in 107 matches, with an average of almost 24 and an economy rate of 3.84.<ref name="A stunning match-winner">{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/457149.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121020318/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/457149.html |url-status=live |archive-date=21 November 2010 |title=Wasim Akram: stats analysis – A stunning match-winner |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=25 April 2010 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref>

=== World's best ===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; width:50%;"
|-
! colspan="7" | Wasim Akram's results in international matches<ref>{{cite web |title=Statistics / Statsguru / KC Sangakkara/One-Day Internationals |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/43547.html?class=2;template=results;type=batting |publisher=Cricinfo |access-date=25 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919142932/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/43547.html?class=2%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting |archive-date=19 September 2015 }}</ref>
|-
| &nbsp; || Matches || Won || Lost || Drawn || Tied || No result
|-
| Test<ref>{{cite web |title=List of Test victories |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=matches;result=1;template=results;type=batting |publisher=Cricinfo |access-date=25 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208141518/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=matches;result=1;template=results;type=batting |archive-date=8 December 2012 }}</ref> || 104 || 41 || 27 || 36 || 0 || –
|-
| ODI<ref>{{cite web |title=List of ODI victories |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=matches;result=1;template=results;type=batting |publisher=Cricinfo |access-date=25 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102151011/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=matches;result=1;template=results;type=batting |archive-date=2 January 2013 }}</ref>
|| 356 || 199 || 145 || – || 6 || 6
|}

Akram was a significant figure in the [[1992 Cricket World Cup]] held in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]] when Pakistan won the tournament. In the final, against [[England national cricket team|England]], his innings of 33 runs off 19 balls pushed Pakistan to a score of 249 runs for 6 wickets. Akram then took the wicket of [[Ian Botham]] early on during the English batting innings; and, when brought back into the bowling attack later on, with the ball reverse swinging, he produced a spell of bowling which led to [[Allan Lamb]] and [[Chris Lewis (cricketer)|Chris Lewis]] being bowled in successive deliveries in one over. His performances earned him the [[Man of the Match#Cricket|Man of the Match]] award for the final.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wc2007/content/story/284428.html |title=Great Moments – Double jeopardy |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=30 April 2007 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/match/65156.html |title=Benson & Hedges World Cup – Final, England v Pakistan |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=25 March 1992 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> In 1993, Akram took two consecutive 4-wicket hauls against Sri Lanka in Sharjah, in which 7 out of 8 wickets were either LBW or bowled.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/statistics/Players/PlayerProgressBowl_ODI.asp |title=Wasim Akram: 1993 |publisher=howstat.com.au |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref>

In the 1992–1993 Total International Series in South Africa (involving Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa), he took 5 wickets against South Africa and got his 200th wicket in his 143rd match.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65954.html |title=Total International Series – 4th match |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=15 February 1993 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/statistics/Matches/MatchScorecard_ODI.asp?MatchCode=0868 |title=Pakistan vs South Africa – 4th match |publisher=howstat.com.au |date=15 February 1993 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref><ref name=Wasim>{{citation |url=http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/statistics/Players/PlayerBowlGraph_ODI.asp?PlayerID=0029 |title=Wasim Akram: 1993 |publisher=howstat.com.au |date=15 February 1993 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> Akram took 46 wickets in calendar year 1993, his best year ever in ODIs. His average was less than 19, with an economy rate of less than 3.8 runs per over. He took six 4-wicket hauls in 1993, the most by him in any year.<ref name=Wasim /> In the [[1996 Cricket World Cup]], Akram missed the quarterfinal match against India which Pakistan lost and went out of the World Cup. Wasim's great career was often tainted by controversy, not least in the Caribbean in April 1993, his maiden tour as Pakistan's captain. During the team's stop-over in Grenada, he was arrested along with three teammates—[[Waqar Younis]], [[Aaqib Javed]] and [[Mushtaq Ahmed (cricketer)|Mushtaq Ahmed]]—and two female British tourists; he was charged with possession of marijuana.<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/263383.html "Dabbling with drugs"]. ''Cricinfo''.</ref> Between 1994 and 1996, he took 84 wickets in 39 matches.<ref name=Wasim />

From January 1992 to December 1997, Akram played 131 matches and took 198 wickets at an average of 21.86, with 14 4-wicket hauls in ODIs. In September 1998, he first announced his retirement from international cricket and hired a retired judge to help him fight match-fixing allegations levelled against him. Akram called the allegations "a conspiracy, especially within the board". He added, "Unfortunately I have to leave cricket. When allegations arise you need to fight it out. You can't just sit back.... I would love to carry on but I simply can't. But I'm happy because I know that I have done nothing wrong."<ref>{{cite news |title=Akram quits, to clear his name |url=https://www.rediff.com/sports/1998/sep/15f.htm |access-date=4 October 2023 |agency=Associated Press |work=Rediff.com |date=15 September 1998}}</ref> However, he reconsidered his decision on the insistence of chairman of the [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] (PCB), [[Khalid Mahmood (civil servant)|Khalid Mahmood]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bose |first1=Mihir |author1-link=Mihir Bose |title=Pakistan turmoil as Wasim faces 'immoral' claims |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pakistan-turmoil-as-wasim-faces-immoral-claims-26-july-1999-81016 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=4 October 2023 |language=en |date=26 July 1999}}</ref>

=== Late career ===
In 1999, he led Pakistan to the finals of the World Cup where they capitulated and were defeated by Australia in the final by eight wickets with almost 30 overs to spare.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65234.html |title=1999: ICC World Cup – Final |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=20 June 1999 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> This was the start of the match-fixing controversies, as critics believed Akram had set up the match for Australia. However, none of the allegations could be proven.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/117987.html |title=1999: ICC World Cup – Final |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=20 June 1999 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/1662092.stm |title=Wasim called by fixing inquiry |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=17 November 2001 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref>

He was Pakistan's best bowler in the [[2003 Cricket World Cup]], taking 12 wickets in 6 matches.<ref>{{citation |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=865;type=tournament |title=Records / ICC World Cup, 2002/03 / Most wickets |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |access-date=21 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718164316/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=865%3Btype%3Dtournament |archive-date=18 July 2012 }}</ref> However, Pakistan failed to reach the super six of the tournament, and Akram was one of the eight players to be sacked by the PCB as a result.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155855.html |title=WISDEN – Pool A – 2003 World Cup: Zimbabwe v Pakistan |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=14 March 2003 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/130565.html |title=Eight from the World Cup squad sacked |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=20 March 2003 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref>

== Records ==
[[File:Wasim Akram 3.jpg|left|thumb|Akram in 2007.]]
Akram won 17 Man-of-the-Match awards in 104 Tests. He took four hat-tricks in international cricket—two in ODIs<ref name=Hat-trick /><ref name=Hat-trick2 /> and two in Tests. As a result, he shares the record for most international hat-tricks with [[Lasith Malinga]].<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63832.html |title=Asian Test Championship – 3rd match |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=4 March 1999 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63833.html |title=Asian Test Championship – Final |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=12 March 1999 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> He finished with 22 Man-of-the-Match awards in ODIs. In 199 ODI match wins, he took 326 wickets at under 19 apiece with a run rate of 3.70 and took 18 four-wicket hauls.<ref name="A stunning match-winner" /> His 257 not-out against Zimbabwe in 1996 is the highest innings by a number-8 batsman in Tests. He hit 12 sixes in that game, and it stands to this day as the record for the most sixes by any player in a single Test innings.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63722.html |title=Zimbabwe in Pakistan Test Series – 1st Test |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |date=17 October 1996 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283126.html |title=Most sixes in a test innings |author=ESPN |date=27 April 2017 |work=cricinfo}}</ref>

Prior to his retirement, he was one of eight senior players dropped for the [[Cherry Blossom Sharjah Cup 2003|2003 Sharjah Cup]], and was then omitted from the Pakistan squad for the subsequent Bank Alfalah Cup triangular series.<ref name="retirement">{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/131387.html |title=Akram announces retirement |date=18 May 2003 |access-date=2 August 2010 |publisher=[[Cricinfo]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705075048/http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/131387.html |archive-date=5 July 2010 }}</ref> Due to his omission from the team, he did not participate in a farewell match. Akram fulfilled his contract play for Hampshire until the end of the English season.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/123811.html |title=Wasim Akram signs one year contract for Hampshire |publisher=[[ESPNCricinfo]] |date=2 April 2003 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref>

== Post-retirement ==

=== Media career ===
Since retiring from cricket, Akram has worked and taken up commentary for television networks and can currently be seen as a sports commentator for [[ESPN Star Sports]] and [[ARY Digital]] among others. He did commentary on a variety of sporting tournaments including the 2009 [[Women's Cricket World Cup]] in Australia, the [[2009 ICC World Twenty20]] in England, the [[2009 ICC Champions Trophy]] in South Africa, and the [[2011 ICC World Cup]] in [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]] and [[Bangladesh]].{{Citation needed|date= July 2022}}
[[File:Wasim Akram 4.jpg|thumb|175x175px|Wasim Akram during [[Indian Premier League|IPL]], [[2015 Indian Premier League|2015]]]]

=== Coaching career ===
In 2010, Akram was appointed the bowling coach consultant of [[Kolkata Knight Riders]], the [[Indian Premier League]] team for [[Kolkata]]. [[Sourav Ganguly]] was always keen to have Akram as the bowling coach for India, during the former's stint as Indian captain. Although this never happened, his dreams were realised to some extent, when Akram was appointed as the bowling coach cum mentor for the franchise.<ref>{{cite web |title=KKR can win IPL's 3rd edition: Wasim Akram |url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=95819 |publisher=The News International |access-date=3 July 2010 |date=11 January 2010}} {{dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
Akram has thus been playing a vital role in the grooming of Indian pacers like [[Mohammed Shami]] and [[Umesh Yadav]], who owe their success in international cricket a lot to the bowling legend.
While working for the Kolkata Knight Riders, he was also responsible for the signing of Pakistani domestic left-arm fast-bowler [[Mohammad Irfan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan's Mohammad Irfan in line for IPL contract |work=Cricinfo |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/current/story/471812.html |access-date=11 August 2010 |date=10 August 2010}}</ref>
Akram has also been coaching in Pakistan fast bowling camps, his most notable discovery being the teenage Pakistani bowlers [[Mohammad Amir]] and [[Junaid Khan (cricketer)|Junaid Khan]].
Akram has also worked as director and bowling coach of PSL franchise [[Islamabad United]] during [[2016 Pakistan Super League|2016]] and [[2017 Pakistan Super League|2017 season]].<ref name="WAkram">{{cite news |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/151959-wasim-akram-leaving-islamabad-united |title=Wasim Akram leaves Islamabad United for new PSL franchise |author=Faizan Lakhani |date=1 August 2017 |publisher=Geo News |access-date=5 February 2018}}</ref> He has also worked with [[Multan Sultans]] as director and bowling coach. He is currently chairman and bowling coach of [[Karachi Kings]].<ref name="WAkram" /> He is also currently the Vice President of [[Kashmir Premier League (Pakistan)|Kashmir Premier League]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=APP|date=2021-02-16|title=Wasim Akram joins KPL|url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40064650|access-date=2021-08-07|website=Brecorder|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-17|title=Wasim Akram joins Kashmir Premier League|url=https://nation.com.pk/17-Feb-2021/wasim-akram-joins-kashmir-premier-league|access-date=2021-08-07|website=The Nation|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-06|title=Kashmir Premier League kicks off with beautiful opening ceremony|url=https://www.bolnews.com/sports/2021/08/kpl-kicks-off-beautiful-opening-ceremony/|access-date=2021-08-07|website=BOL News|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Playing style and legacy ==

{{quote box
| align = left
| width = 300px
| quote = Over my 15 or 16 years of playing international cricket in Tests and One Day Internationals, Wasim Akram is definitely the most outstanding bowler I've ever faced.
| source = – Former West Indies batsman [[Brian Lara]].<ref>[https://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Lara-rates-Akram-better-than-McGrath/2007/03/29/1174761627979.html Lara rates Akram better than McGrath]. ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]].'' Retrieved on 30 April 2007.</ref>}}

During his professional career he bowled with genuine speed and hostility. Akram was a man possessed of accurate control of line and length, accompanied by [[seam bowling|seam]] and [[swing bowling]] skills, extended to both [[inswinger]]s and [[outswinger]]s. With a very quick bowling action, he could bowl equally well from both sides of the wicket. His mastery of [[reverse swing]] with the cricket ball meant he was at his most dangerous towards the end of a bowling innings, and earned him the nickname of one of the "Sultans of Swing", the other one being [[Waqar Younis]].

{{quote box
| align = right
| width = 300px
| quote="The one player who really stood out for me was Wasim Akram. It was in that [[1992 Cricket World Cup|tournament]] that we realised just what a special talent he was and how much trouble he was going to give us and the rest of the world in the years to come. What a player he was."
| source = – Former English Allrounder [[Ian Botham]].<ref>[http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/211720-1992-world-cup-final-defeat-to-pakistan-still-haunts-ian-botham Ian Botham still hurts for 1992] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824035700/http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/211720-1992-world-cup-final-defeat-to-pakistan-still-haunts-ian-botham |date=24 August 2013 }}. ''[http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/211720-1992-world-cup-final-defeat-to-pakistan-still-haunts-ian-botham] .'' Retrieved on 15 AUG 2013.</ref>}}

As well as often being able to find the edge of the bat, Akram would also focus his bowling attack on the [[stump (cricket)|stumps]] and had a particularly lethal inswinging [[yorker]]. Of his 414 Test wickets, 193 were taken [[caught]], 119 were taken [[leg before wicket]] and 102 were [[bowled]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20120715122053/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/MOST_TEST_CAUGHT.html Tests – Most Wickets Taken Caught]. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20130119203834/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/MOST_TEST_LBW.html Tests – Most Wickets Taken LBW]. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20130119234709/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/MOST_TEST_BOWLED.html Tests – Most Wickets Taken Bowled]. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.</ref> In partnership with [[Waqar Younis]], he intimidated international batsmen in the 1990s. Together Wasim and Waqar, known as "the two Ws" of the Pakistani team, were one of the most successful bowling partnerships in cricket.<ref>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/217157.html Home truths, and the greatest fast-bowling pairs]. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.</ref>

With the bat he was especially effective against spin bowlers. However, he liked to slog and was criticised for his lack of high scores and giving away his wicket too cheaply. In October 1996 he scored 257 runs not out, of the team's total of 553 against lowly [[Zimbabwe cricket team|Zimbabwe]] on a typical flat [[South Asia]]n pitch at [[Sheikhupura]]. He also achieved good scores for the Pakistan team such as his scores of 123 and 45* against Australia to take Pakistan to victory in a low scoring match. His batting was also valuable sometimes to the Pakistan ODI side, such as in the [[Nehru Cup (cricket)|Nehru Cup]] in 1989, when needing six runs in two balls to win the match, he hit the first delivery he faced, from part-time off-spinner and batting legend, [[Viv Richards]], for a six and secured the cup.

[[West Indian]] batting great [[Viv Richards]] rates Akram as best fast bowler he ever faced after [[Dennis Lillee]].<ref>Akram was very special, says Richards http://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/more-cricket/akram-was-very-special-says-richard</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title='If I had to pick between Sachin and Lara, I'd pick Sachin'|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/video/25-questions-with-viv-richards-if-i-had-to-pick-between-sachin-and-lara-i-d-pick-sachin-1167992|access-date=2021-11-27|website=ESPNcricinfo|date=5 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

In December 2012 after [[Ricky Ponting]] announced his retirement, he said that Wasim Akram and [[Curtly Ambrose]] were the toughest bowlers he had faced<ref>[http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-78372-Ponting-admits-being-scared-of-Wasim Ponting admits being scared of Wasim]. thenews.com.pk. 5 December 2012</ref> "Akram for the exact opposite, you could get a few runs off him, but you just knew there was an unplayable ball around the corner, be it with an old ball or with a new ball," – [[Ricky Ponting]].<ref>Howards, Nathan. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121211012030/http://blogs.bettor.com/Curtly-Ambrose-and-Wasim-Akram-were-the-toughest-bowlers-I-faced%2C-says-Ricky-Ponting-Cricket-News-Update-a205470 Curtly Ambrose and Wasim Akram were the toughest bowlers I faced, says Ricky Ponting – Cricket News Update]. blogs.bettor.com</ref>

To mark 150 years of the Cricketers' Almanack, Wisden named him in an all-time Test World XI.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/24640224| title= WG Grace and Shane Warne in Wisden all-time World Test XI
|date=23 October 2013|work=BBC|access-date=26 July 2019}}</ref>

== Beyond cricket ==
=== Books ===
* {{Cite book|author1=Akram, Wasim|author2=[[Pat Murphy (sports journalist)|Murphy. Patrick]]|title=Wasim|year=1998|isbn=978-0749918088|publisher=[[Piatkus Books]]}}
* {{Cite book |author1=Akram, Wasim |author2=[[Gideon Haigh|Haigh, Gideon]] |title=[[Sultan: A Memoir]] |year=2022 |isbn=978-1743798690 |publisher=Hardie Grant Books}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1004788-wasim-akram-uncovers-dark-secrets-in-his-upcoming-autobiography|title=Wasim Akram uncovers dark secrets in his upcoming autobiography|date=29 October 2022|access-date=12 January 2023|work=The News International (newspaper)}}</ref>

=== Modelling ===
Akram was a model at the Pantene Bridal Couture Week 2011, which was an event of [[Style 360]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Waseem Akram also runs at Ramp |url=http://www.awomensclub.com/pantene-bridal-couture-week-2011.php |publisher=A Women's Club |access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wasim Akram at Pantene Bridal Couture Week 2011 |url=http://www.zimbio.com/Pakistan/articles/_oSLqyNh3Ih/Pantene+Bridal+Couture+Week+2011 |publisher=Zimbo.com |access-date=12 November 2011}}{{dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

=== Business ===
In 2018, Akram joined ''Cricingif'' as a stakeholder director.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wasim Akram Joins Cricingif as Shareholder and Director |url=https://propakistani.pk/2018/03/09/wasim-akram-joins-cricingif-shareholder-director/ |newspaper=Propakistani |date=9 March 2018 |access-date=9 March 2018 }}</ref>

=== Television shows ===
[[File:Wasim Akram in a rollercoaster.jpg|right|thumb|Akram in 2014 in India]]
{| class="wikitable"
! Year !! Show !! Role !! Language !! Country
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena (TV series)|Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena]]'' || Judge<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/oct/08wasim.htm|title=Judging Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena|website=www.rediff.com}}</ref> || Hindi || India
|-
| 2016 || ''The Sportsman Show'' || rowspan="2" | Host || rowspan="3" | Urdu || rowspan="3" | Pakistan
|-
| 2017 || ''Geo Khelo Pakistan'' 
|-
| 2022 || ''[[Jeeto Pakistan League (season 1)|Jeeto Pakistan League]]'' || Guest 
|}

=== Films ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
|2023
|''[[Money Back Guarantee (upcoming film)|Money Back Guarantee]]''
|Akram
|Film debut<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 February 2020 |title=Wasim, Shaniera all set to make screen debut in Money Back Guarantee |url=https://92newshd.tv/wasim-shaniera-all-set-to-make-screen-debut-in-money-back-guarantee/ |access-date=17 January 2022 |work=[[92 News|92 News HD Plus]] |language=en-US |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925101455/https://92newshd.tv/wasim-shaniera-all-set-to-make-screen-debut-in-money-back-guarantee/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}

== Award and records ==
{{See also|List of international cricket five-wicket hauls by Wasim Akram }}
{{See also|Player of the Match awards (cricket)}}

Akram was awarded [[Wisden Cricketer of the Year]] in 1993 for his sporting achievements. He was awarded [[2nd Lux Style Awards|Lux Style Award]] for Most Stylish Sports Person in 2003.

* In his [[Test cricket|Test]] career, Akram took 414 wickets in 104 matches, a Pakistani record, at an [[bowling average|average]] of 23.62 and scored 2,898 runs, at an [[batting average (cricket)|average]] of 22.64.<ref name="test_wkts">[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TEST_BOWL_MOST_WKTS.html Test Career Bowling – Most Wickets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614160029/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TEST_BOWL_MOST_WKTS.html |date=14 June 2007 }}. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.</ref>
* In [[One Day International]]s, Akram took 502 wickets in 356 appearances, at an average of 23.52 and scored 3,717 runs, at an average of 16.52.<ref name = odi_wkts />
* Akram was the first bowler in international cricket to take more than 400 wickets in both forms of the game and only [[Muttiah Muralitharan]] has since achieved this.<ref name = odi_wkts /><ref name = test_wkts />
* Akram also held the record for the most wickets in [[Cricket World Cup]]s, a total of 55 in 38 matches. [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]]'s [[Glenn McGrath]] broke the record during the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]], ending with a final tally of 71 from 39 matches.<ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/WC/BOWLING/WC_BOWL_MOST_WKTS.html World Cup Bowling – Most Wickets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318015626/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/WC/BOWLING/WC_BOWL_MOST_WKTS.html |date=18 March 2007 }}. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.</ref> On passing Wasim's record, McGrath said, "Wasim Akram, to me, is one of the greatest bowlers of all time. Left-armer, swung it both ways with the new ball and he was so dangerous with the old ball. To go past him is something I will always remember. Probably the other side of the coin is that if you play long enough, you're going to break records here and there." He is currently the fourth highest wicket taker in world cups.<ref>[http://blogs.smh.com.au/sport/archives/2007/04/pigeon_v_wasim_whos_the_best.html Pigeon v Wasim – who's the best?].[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.</ref>
* Akram is one of the only two bowlers, along with [[Lasith Malinga]], that achieved four or more [[Hat-trick (cricket)|hat-trick]]s in international cricket, with two each in Tests and One Day Internationals. He was the third of only four bowlers to have taken two [[Test cricket hat-tricks]], the others being [[Hugh Trumble]], [[Jimmy Matthews]] and [[Stuart Broad]]. Akram was also the first of only five bowlers to have taken two [[One Day International cricket hat-tricks]]. Akram's Test hat-tricks are significant, since they were taken in consecutive Test matches in the same series, a game played against Sri Lanka in the [[1998-99 Asian Test Championship]]. Akram is also one of only two bowlers to have taken both a Test match and One Day International hat-trick, the other being Pakistan fast bowler, [[Mohammad Sami]].<ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TEST_HAT-TRICKS.html Hat Tricks in Test Matches] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615165621/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TEST_HAT-TRICKS.html |date=15 June 2007 }}. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.</ref><ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/ODIS/BOWLING/ODI_BOWL_HAT-TRICKS.html One Day Internationals – Hat Tricks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070129011500/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/ODIS/BOWLING/ODI_BOWL_HAT-TRICKS.html |date=29 January 2007 }}. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.</ref>
* Playing in a Test series against the [[West Indies national cricket team|West Indies]] at Lahore in 1990–1991, he became one of only six players to have taken four wickets in an over during a Test match. In Akram's case, these achievement was not part of a hat-trick, the third ball he delivered to the batting opposition was a dropped catch, which allowed a single run.<ref>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/287834.html Four wickets in an over, and who's the Cockroach?]. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.</ref><ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1990-91/WI_IN_PAK/WI_PAK_T3_06-11DEC1990.html Pakistan v West Indies, 1990/91, 3rd Test]. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.</ref>
* Akram has also achieved the highest score by a number eight batsman in Test cricket when he scored 257 runs not out from 363 balls against [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]] at [[Sheikhupura]]. The innings contained 12 [[six (cricket)|sixes]] which is also a world record for highest number of sixes in any Test innings.<ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BATTING/HIGHEST_BATTING_POSITION.html Tests – Highest Score at Each Batting Position] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060216042123/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BATTING/HIGHEST_BATTING_POSITION.html |date=16 February 2006 }}. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.</ref><ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BATTING/TRIVIA/BAT_MOST_SIXES_TEST.html Tests – Most Sixes in an Innings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060216042315/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BATTING/TRIVIA/BAT_MOST_SIXES_TEST.html |date=16 February 2006 }}. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.</ref>
* He also has the joint-third highest number of Man of the Match awards in Test cricket, with seventeen.<ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/INDIVIDUAL/TEST_MOST_MOM.html Tests – Most Man of the Match Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070502151551/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/INDIVIDUAL/TEST_MOST_MOM.html |date=2 May 2007 }}. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.</ref>
* He has scored the second-highest number of runs in One Day International matches by a player who has never scored a One Day International hundred, after [[Misbah-ul-Haq]]. His highest score was 86 runs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284205.html |title=Records / One Day Internationals / Batting records / Most runs in a career without a hundred |publisher=ESPN cricinfo}}</ref>
* He is the only Test cricketer in the world (as of Feb 2013) to take ten or more wickets three times in a test match and still end up on the losing side.<ref>[http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=wickets;qualmin1=10;qualval1=wickets;result=2;size=100;template=results;type=bowling;view=match Bowling records] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130410185257/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=wickets;qualmin1=10;qualval1=wickets;result=2;size=100;template=results;type=bowling;view=match |date= 10 April 2013 }}. stats.espncricinfo.com</ref>
* He holds the record for facing the most balls in a test match as well as in an innings as number 8 batsman (363 balls)<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=8;batting_positionmin1=8;batting_positionval1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=balls_faced;template=results;type=batting;view=match |title=Batting records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|work=Cricinfo|access-date=2 March 2017}}</ref>
* First bowler to take 500 ODI wickets and still holds the record for taking the most ODI wickets as seamer (502)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2396889/Wasim-passes-500-wicket-milestone.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2396889/Wasim-passes-500-wicket-milestone.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=First to take 500 ODI wickets |work=the telegraph|date=25 February 2003 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* Wasim Akram is the person to grab 100+ ODI wickets at the same ground. He jointly holds the record for taking the most wickets in ODI history at a single ground (122 at [[Sharjah Cricket Stadium]]), tied with [[Shakib Al Hasan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283947.html |title=Most wickets on a single ground in ODI cricket |work=cricinfo}}</ref> [[Waqar Younis]], the second person to grab 100+ ODI wickets at a single ground, also did in Sharjah. He ranks second overall with 114 wickets.
* Holds the record for taking the most ODI wickets as captain (158)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?captain=1;class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=wickets;template=results;type=bowling |title=Statistics / Statsguru / One-Day Internationals / Bowling records |work=cricinfo}}</ref>

== Controversies ==

=== Ball tampering ===
In 1992, after he had been successful against the English batsmen, accusations of [[ball tampering]] began to appear in the English media, though no video evidence of foul play was ever found. Akram and Younis had been able to obtain prodigious amounts of movement from both new and old cricket balls. The skill of the [[reverse swing]] delivery was relatively unknown in England and around the cricketing world during that period.

=== Match fixing ===
A far larger controversy was created when critics alleged that he was involved in match fixing. An inquiry commission was set up by the Pakistan Cricket Board headed by a Pakistan high court judge, [[Malik Mohammad Qayyum]]. The judge wrote in his report that:<ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/PAK/NEWS/qayyumreport/qayyum_report.html Justice Qayyum's Report]. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.</ref>
{{blockquote|This commission feels that all is not well here and that Wasim Akram is not above board. He has not co-operated with this Commission. It is only by giving Wasim Akram the benefit of the doubt after [[Ata-ur-Rehman (cricketer)|Ata-ur-Rehman]] changed his testimony in suspicious circumstances that he has not been found guilty of match-fixing. He cannot be said to be above suspicion.|}}

==See also==
* [[Pakistan Cricket Board]]
* [[International Cricket Council]]
* [[Imran Khan]]
* [[Waqar Younis]]

== Autobiography ==
{{Expand section|1=information about the book|date=January 2023|talksection=Proposed merge of Sultan: A Memoir into Wasim Akram|small=no}}
Akram's autobiography, titled ''[[Sultan: A Memoir]]'', co-authored by cricket writer [[Gideon Haigh]], was published in 2022 by [[HarperCollins]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramaswamy |first=Mohan |date=2023-01-22 |title=Book Review {{!}} Sultan of swing reveals much in splendid memoir |url=https://www.asianage.com/books/220123/book-review-sultan-of-swing-reveals-much-in-splendid-memoir.html |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=[[The Asian Age]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Shantanu Guha |date=2023-01-22 |title=Book Review: 'Sultan', Wasim Akram's Memoir |url=https://www.thequint.com/sports/book-review-sultan-wasim-akrams-memoir |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=[[The Quint]] |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}
{{wikibooks}}

== External links ==
* {{Twitter |id= wasimakramlive }}
* {{ESPNcricinfo |id= 43547 }}

{{s-start}}
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{{succession box
| before = [[Aamer Sohail]]
| title = [[Pakistani national cricket captains|Pakistan Cricket Captain]]
| years = 1999–2000
| after = [[Moin Khan]]
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{{s-ach}}
{{succession box
| title = [[Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World]]
| before = [[Curtly Ambrose]]
| after = [[Shane Warne]]
| years = 1992
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Pakistan Test Cricket Captains}}
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