Similarly, a host of Australians have stood up at the moment of McGrath's achievement to agree with Lara. That's saying something too since these are Australians who played in the last two decades, when their team ruled world cricket.

(As an aside, it has been interesting to hear the insight of Australian cricketers who have turned to commentary--I have always been impressed by Michael Slater but Damien Fleming has been a revelation. It just shows that success at cricket requires sharp brains, a topic I will return to in relation to Pakistan cricket.)

Wasim Akram was a colossus in world cricket, and the World Cup story was closely entwined with his own in the 1990s. It began with an inspirational triumph in 1992, when his late order hitting and double wicket burst swung the final for Pakistan. Everybody already knew that Wasim could make the ball talk but he went and did in a World Cup final.

Post Imran, the future looked to belong to Wasim but it never properly worked out the way it should have. In 1996, he missed the quarter-final defeat to India with a rib injury. And the 1999 campaign was a triumph but for the disaster of the final and a stumble against Bangladesh. On both occasions, as now, unsubstantiated accusations of match-fixing complicated the mourning.

That 1999 side, to my mind, was probably the best Pakistan has ever fielded at a World Cup and they played like world beaters. Waqar Younis was 12th man for heaven's sake. Indeed, the victory over Australia at Headingley was perhaps the finest by a Pakistan team in a World Cup outside the final two performances in 1992.

The resources available to Pakistan cricket in the 1990s allowed an administrative complacency to set in that has encouraged its foundations to crumble away. It created a complacency among the players too that manifested itself in sometimes hopeless performances.

Despite all his records, many people wonder if Wasim and his team could have achieved even more? Perhaps he and they could have. But let's remember he achieved all he did despite a career made more difficult by diabetes and the crazy politics of Pakistan cricket. Let's also remember that, like McGrath and like Lara, he achieved the utmost respect of his contemporaries. No higher praise is possible.

Yes Wasim was a great! But his reputation was tarnished by the findings of the Qayyum report and his squirmishes with Waqar Younis.

The sight of Wasim Akram celebrating the wicket of Allan Lamb will remain in my mind forever. It was that moment that Akram became my favourite cricket idol. Im sure Akram sees it as an honour for people to call him the greatest of his generation. One thing that Akram had, that McGrath doesnt, is that likeable personality, that won the hearts and minds of his fellow team mates. He guided Pakistan to the World Cup victory in '92, took them to the final in '99 but deservedly lost to the Australians, also guiding Lancashire to successes. Also, Akram was the mastermind behind reverse swing, shamefully, the British media pounced on Wasim/Waqar for reverse swing, yet they jumped for joy when the same reverse swing won them the Ashes in 2005.

Wasim Akram, will remain a cricketing legend. His record simply speaks for itself.

No doubt, Wasim was an ultimate gem. If you start counting his heroics, and then down the line with the bat as well (e.g. a test series in Sri Lanka)he proves to be much better.
The problems that encireld him in 1990s and the response he gave is not a taks for any Mc Grath, who thrived in very good and congenial environment of Aussie cricket.
WASIM is the Man!

Rightly so. Wasim was simply awesome. As a fast bowler myself I was amazed by his shortened run up and the pace he produced from it. Not only was there pace, there was swing and variation. His bouncer was rarely poorly directed and more importantly, came from nowhere; few batsmen saw it coming.

Coming from Australia, I was a bit of an oddity as my bowling idols were both "overseas" players - Wasim Akram and the great Sir Richard Hadlee. I tried to model my action on Hadlee but I tried to learn all the tricks that Wasim had in his bag. Problem was, Wasim had too many; 4 or 5 slower balls for a start!

I loved watching him bat and like our Australian team, his batting was sometimes described as arrogant. I dislike that word when describing champions - I prefer sef assured and confident. When you are the top of your game in most cases, you've earnt it. Wasim certainly did.

McGrath's record though is phenomenal as far as World Cup games played, wickets taken, average per wicket and runs conceded per over. Let's not try to take too much away from Glenn.

Nice article.

One should acknowledge sachin along with lara when ever you talk about the greatest batsman of the era.

The thing which makes Wasim Akram ahead of Mc Grath is that Wasim Akram played for the most unpredictable team Pakistan. Wasim Akram got all the wickets infact most of them single handedly as you know Pakis are not much in fielding whereas Mc Grath plays with a team like Australia having the highest standards of fielding in world cricket. Furthermore Wasim is also well known for his famous variations, he had the ability to deliver six different varieties in six balls and also the reverse swing which Mc Grath lacks. The final point supporting my point of view is that in the early 90s when Wasim started as an established bowler batsman didnt throw wickets as the ODI was not that fast as now. Those ODIs were more similar than test matches and the batsman hardly played risky strokes and lose wickets. Now a days ODI is very fast and even low profile bowlers can take 5 wickets easily. There is no doubt that Mc Grath is a great bowler but according to me and my cricket knowledge Wasim Akram is far more superior than Mc Grath.

Wasim is indeed the best bowler of this generation and perhaps the best left arm bowler cricket has seen in a very very long time. Not only was he a master of ball control, both directions and both in the air and off the wicket, but he was also a master of out-thinking the batsmen. The way he used to set up his victims is something the monotony of glenn mcgrath can never compare against. He made cricket glamorous to watch and exciting to follow. I have never seen anyone bowl a better first over than wasim akram.
Mcgrath might have deserved the record for his consistency but I can't think of any of his 50+ wickets in WC as sheer brilliance .. but maybe I'm a fan of fast and prodigious swing bowling and cannot fully appreciate the power of immaculate line and length.

i agree!!!..... Amazing bowler,without any doubt

Glenn Mcgrath has been a brilliantly consistent performer.He is worthy of all the accolades that are bestowed on him.

However Wasim Akram as a performer stands head and shoulders above Mcgrath. Wasim was one off a kind .Class,Charisma, Colourful the brother new how to set the house on fire.

As for KHANSAHAB my brother you seem to be like Inspector Clouseau bungling from one mishap into the next.

First off all you engaged in a disagreement with the CalgaryHighlander.Then you decided to bring Javed.a.Khan. in to the mix. Following a retort from Javed Bhai. You decided to bring me into the mix.

Well KHANSAHAB let me share a piece off advice that I received from my Amateur Boxing Coach when I was 13 years old. He said" If you dug yourself in to a hole lad,and you cant stop yourself from digging. Break that damn SHOVEL".

Now as for the rest off your comments i.e. Ashaq or Ashiq well my brother.When I arrived in the u.k. at the age off 3 some 30years ago.With my Mother and siblings to join my Father who was already settled here. The name had been spelled as Ashaq on the Passport it has remained as such since.

AS for Javed.A.Khan. sahibs Pay+do joke concerning my name I thought it was pretty hilarious and witty. Whilst i may engage in disagreements with Javed.A.Khan. I certainly dont have any malice towards him. Infact Javed Sahib reminds me off a favourite teacher I had in School. Hell thats a story in itself.

Well KHANSAHAB as for the rest off your comments about creating clique of Educated individuals.On this Blog.

Well my Brother I have no law degree,or Medical degree or Financial degree. I am from the streets of the Innercity .Majority of the guys I grew up with are in Prison on drugs or dead. But hell I believe I am as entitled to express my opinion as much as anyone else on this Blog. I did not think having a P.H.D was a prerequisite in posting comments. Indeed I think it is a brilliant thing that you can have individuals off such diverse backgrounds exchanging opinions on Kamran Abbasis Blog.Thats what makes PakSpin Rock.

Excellent article Kamran. Imagine then what Wasim might have achieved without "diabetes and the crazy politics of Pakistan cricket." And the same question may be asked of Waqar.

Mr. Abbasi,
Perhaps you are right in your statment that there is no higher praise than to earn the respect of one's comtemporaries. However the question mark of those unsubstantiated allegations is what sullies everything that Wasim achieved. The fact that he was able to achieve all that he did despite being diabetic is amazing and to me Wasim Akram will remain the greatest baller of all time regardless of all the question marks.
However, I do feel that Wasim was made better by Waqar and herein lies the tragedy of Pakistan cricket. To me Wasim and Waqar together were the best ever pair of fast bowlers to prowl the streets of world cricket. However had it not been for the politics that inevitably get entangled into cricket in Pakistan they will have undoubtedly acieved a great deal more. What you mentioned about Waqar being the twelfth man for the 1999 world cup to me doesn't reflect an abundance of riches but the fact that Pakistan cricket is a game of politics.

And unless the politics are removed from the game of cricket so that it is controlled only by those people who sincerely love the sport of cricket not just covet the high honor of being involved with it and worse yet to fatten their pork bellies with the hard earned financial riches that result from success in an increasingly commercial international sport then there will be nothing but doom.
To me in a way cricket sadly us an accurate reflection of what has been the tragedy of the state of Pakistan since its birth. The fate of state of Pakistan has ebbed and flowed with the fates of individual leaders because of the lack of strogn institutoins built on an ideology and rooted in principles. Similarly in our cricket we have relied on the brilliance of a few men to lead us and yet discoved the real trick to success which is to build a team based on an ideaology and priciples.

I think Inzimam tried in his own way to bring to the Pakistan cricket team this very sense of being a band of brothers. But alas he failed. To me he will always be the most sincere and most genuine captain of Pakistan cricket because he tried not to achieve just a small victory but to build a team as no one before him. He is a pioneering leader to me in that respect and he deserves our respect for trying.

Wasim Akram no doubt the greatest fast bowler of his era,such gifted players are a rare breed,born once in century.
He was a giant player,but as a man he was a dwarf
he had a huge ego,his invovement in matchfixing,
was a disgrace,he created groupings in the team,
destroyed the careers of many players the biggest example is Waqar and Aqib,if he had let waqar played he would have never taken 502 wickets in ODIS,he turned the potentially golden Era of Pakistan criket into one of the darkest ones tainted by match fixing and dirty politics.
He definitely could have achieved a lot more glory
and victories for Pakistan but he chose personal achievments and monetary benefits,I think in this regard we cannot compare him with Glenn Mcgrath
whose achievements for his team are far more greater than Wasim.

McGrath has got the record in lesser matches than Wasim so what is this discussion about the better bowler ?? Wasim was good, Bradman was good even Woolmer was good but that is history Kamran - remain in the present for at least the duration of this Tournament ???

Wasim Akram was indeed the best bowler of this generation. He too became a victim of Pakistan crickit board politics and conspiricy.
I just finished listening to press conference of PCB chief Dr. Nasim. It is amazing how such seasoned people can twist facts so blatantly. He said that legal aid was not sent to Pakistan cricket team since they were never suspects but only witnesses. will the dear doctor explain howcome these witnesses had to give DNA ssamples. They were obviously suspects and still are. And PCB failed to come to their aid.
Like so many times before PCB has royally screwed up. Whether it was captaincy during Champions trophy, Doping scandal, team selection for world cup it is the same story again and again. We the fans are just tired. Why does Dr. Nasim think that supportes of Pakistan cricket are so stupid. Only if they accept responcibility for all the mistakes that some improvement can occur. We can only hope and pray.

Thums up. Hats off for Waseem Akram, The only difference between Mcgra & Waseem is that Mcgra bowls with brain while Akram with heart. Master of the ball. He gave beautiful moments to cricket. He was the real criket artist.

True. As an ardent follower of cricket, i beleive that wasim is the most talented bowler to have played the game during this era. Shane warne's fans would think otherwise but he along with murali forms the top three talented bowlers of thie generation. glen mcgrath on the other hand is Mr.Perfect. He is the most intimidating bowler of recent times , more for his accuracy and his special skill to target the oppositions main batsmen rather than for the pace he generates. australia owes a lot to pigeon for their sustained dominance in world cricket. Hats off to the great masters- mcgrath and wasim

Well, absolutely no one is forgetting what a great bowler Wasim was but Kamran sahab this is McGrath's moment.

I'm undecided on the merit of these tactics but you seem to hail a Pakistani great every time an Aussie or other player is in the limelight. First it was Abdul Qadir when Shane Warne retired. Now Wasim when McGrath broke his record.

Qadir I think people had definitely forgot so thanks for reminding us. Wasim is a class apart so thanks for reminding us but we haven't forgotten him, never will.

Wasim Akram is the greatest bowler in ODI.He developed reverse swing with old ball and used it effectively in both form of game.I will never forget his bowling in 1992 world cup final.

Indeed Akram is the finest bowler of his generation and the finest left armer world has ever seen and a very useful batsman too who could hit the ball long distance.

Truly a great fasy bowler.What couldn't he acheive when the red cherry was in hands.No doubt the best to have played in the last two decades.

Apart from his incridible bowling and late order batting, I remember the outfielding of this man and those ripping throws from the boundry. Truely a great cricketer and a true ambassador of pakistan cricket.

Pider-e-mun Sultan bood .... My father was the Shah! But the question is, who are you? How long Pakistan is going to brag about their past Heroes? Past is past lets talk about the future, is there any good in talking about Wasim Akram or Imran Khan and, do they have anything to give to the youngsters? The tragedy of their kind is like, "For the vision of one man lends not its wings to another man" What a shame for the youngsters when they look up to their heroes and say: "Dast be daaman-e-har kas keh zadam rosva bood."

I'd pick Akram before I even consider McGrath. And that is in no way an insult to McGrath, who I think is a fine bowler.

Where McGrath would pitch the ball in the same spot ball after ball, daring batsmen to go after him, Akram would pitch it in the same spot and, in Mark Taylor's words, do something different every time. That sort of virtuosity with the cricket ball is something that McGrath never possessed.

Wasim is the best the world ever had! Lara shows his greatness by always praising wasim--- If would have been in Austraia or England- he may had 1000 test and 2000 ODI wickets with 5 World cups and 100 World cup wickets...

It's right that you should praise Wasim because of what he achieved. It's also right that your article should be about Pakistan, it is after all a Pakistani blog. I can't help feeling you have sold McGrath a bit short though. He's more than just a metronome. He possesses beautiful, subtle changes of pace, seam movement and lately even swing. He is a very, very clever bowler who has many skills apart from incredible accuracey and durability. He is also a very nice guy. The bravado and predictions is just his little joke on the media, he's actually very modest and level headed. He is after all a wheat farmer, and they don't come much more practical than that.

Cheers
Watts_His_Name

Very nice Kamran Sahb. Leave the horrible present and the bleak future. Let's salvage some pride by reviewing the past of our cricket!!!!

So Dr Nasim Ashraf has set up a 3 member team to find out the cause of World Cup failure.I thought
Nasim Ashraf himself and Salim Altaf were the major reasons for this failure.May be Osama Bin Laden should be made in charge of investigations for who bombed the World Trade Center!!

Kamran... What's there to discuss about this topic? Are we going to get into useless comparisons again while you get 800 hits on your blog? And each of those comments would go something like... "Yes Kamran, you hit the nail on the wherever..." or "Kamran, I couldn't agree with you more", or "Kamran, you're absolutely right", etc. etc. You never get tired of getting those approvals, do you?

At best some people will get into Aussie-bashing to satisfy their inner racist selves. Some Aussies will be irked and take real offence and get on the defensive as if all accounts must be settled right here. Then a few Indians will jump in trying to prove that Kapil Dev was better than anyone else. All toward what end? Beats me!!! In reality, it spoils both players' greatness in the end.

Would've been so much better if you stuck to the other topic that you briefly mentioned i.e. the requirement of sharp brains in cricket. But, then again, I've seen plenty in these blogs supporting that "rangroot" Abdul Razzaq who I'm sure has his brains in his knees.

On the money regarding Wasim; I have had the honour and the pleasure to see most of his bowling and there's no better bowler than him in his generation and even others as well. Definitely in the top 5 fast bowlers of all time.

However on the topic of the Greatest Batsmen of our generation- this is debatable; a certain Sachin Tendulkar although not comaparable to his past glory isn't done yet and we will have to reserve judgement on that.

In matchwinning knocks as a batsmen there is no comparison with the great Inzamam who is the best in that department.

I do hope he gets a good farewell from ODI's.Maybe a last cricketimng out of both Inzy & Kumble with a one off ODI that India-Pak can play? Would be a great way to say farewell to these two giants of the game.

Regards, Nirbhay.

I think you'll find that TENDULKAR is the greatest batsman and not Lara.

What we would give for another Wasim.....

hey isnt it time to bring in Wasim Akram as coach i mean really he can be the one who can cummunicate with these players, i think he can bring the way we played cricket in the 90's. free men with a free will to win. off course we need application in the field thats what the baseball coach would do. and then Younis and Yousuf could work with the batsmen.

Mc grath may have broken the record of Akram in WC, but for miliions of Fans across Subcontinent, Akram shall remain the greatest.
His bowling was sheer magic.He bowled with lot of passion and agression . I still remember his screaming appeals for LBW. 99% of time umpires would just agree with him.It is said he could bowl six diffrent types of deliveries in same over. Compared to this Mc grath is more or less predictable. Records are meant to be broken.
Even Mc grath has openly acknowledged Akrams ability.
We miss Akram the great , bowlers like him are once in a life time, we were fortunate enough to see him in action.

Yeah...u r rite bro....
Whole Pakistan(and the whole world)LoVeS the best bowler--> Wasim Akram...Cheetah....

Lara, the best batsmen of his generation??? Dont make me laugh. This recent adulation of Lara in face of other greats in unbearable. First of all Lara is anything but a team player, he leads an imcompetant team and only his own glory is heightened. How many games has he won off his bat for the W.I? Ricky Ponting flays attacks per day, and doesn't retreat when it all gets too tough or throw a fit. Tendulkar had 14,000 runs to his name!!! He has destroyed the Aussies more often than Lara ever could. The greatest bowler of all time, S.K Warne has himself nomiated Tendulkar as the best... do you need any more of a recomendation? Then there are plenty more, Imazamam, Steve Waugh, etc. Lara is a god amongst children...to say he is teh greatest batsmen of his era is wrong!

Wasim is, without a doubt, the finest left arm fast bowler of all times. The record in world cup speaks volumes of his ability. One should not forget that Wasim hardly got a chance to bowl at teams like Scotland, Canada and Bermuda. If he had, he probably would have had 75 not 55 wickets in the World Cup. Glen McGrath is a great bowler and deserves all the praise as he has been consistent through out his career, but a record will not make him greater then Wasim Akram, but to be fair, nothing will. Wasim Akram's class has been matchless and it should remain the same for a long time to come.

I agree with Kamram - Wasim was the best bowler of his generation and maybe the best left arm quick of all time. McGrath, also a fine bowler, played in the best team in his (and Wasim's) generation. I know what I would prefer - two (and maybe three) World Cups would do it for me (plus the countless other succcesses). While Wasim always appeared to be a team man I suspect the same could not be said for a number of colleagues which is largely attributable to the lack of overall success of the Pakistan team during Wasim's era when it probably the most talented team in world cricket. Talent, of course, will only get you so far (see current Indian team).

Thanks Kamran Bhai for remembering my WASIM. I consider myself a Majnoon(lover) of Wasim Akram.Allah knows how i passed those early days when wasim retired.Even believe you me, a few days ago, i searched wasim akram in google, i found many articles about him, and i just couldnt control tears coming out of my Cute Green eyes thinking that i have him no more around. Mcgrath broke wasim's record, I was very very sad,that a record from Pakistan was going to Australia, from Wasim to Mcgrath but i ray of joy was also there. I always thought that for a few more days in my life i will be able to read and hear admirations of my Favourite cricketer and thanks yet more Mr Kamran for reminding him to the world. I love Bill Lowreys commentary. He used to get red hot when commentating Wasim's bowling, saying"Beautifo Bowla", i have regrets only that i am unable to listen to these words from Bill Lowrey any more.May this age goes a few years back, may i see my Wasim in action again, but Alas! this is a cruel world, time waits for nobody, i cant get my wasim back, and i have to have only shiny tears in my eyes remembering the Best ever southpaw the game has seen.Long Live Wasim,Long live Kamran,Long Live Pakistan.even my email address at hotmail is wasimakram82@Hotmail.com

Wasim as most will agree was the best fast bowler of his generation and easily the greatest left arm fast bowler of all time...however lets not forget Waqar, who were it not for injuries and politics may well have gone onto becoming the greatest fast bowler of all time...well in my opinion at least.

Agree with your comments on the side of 1999, only if had one in form middle order batter in that side and history could have been different. Also, another reason why 2003 world cup was such a disaster, because crux of that team was same as one in 1999. But hail Wasim, what a genius !

Must you recall past glory to cheer your heart up when facing the mediocre present?
"Yes"
And I shall join you...

I haven't seen a bowler better than Akram. I wouldn't mind if he were to come and play matches for Pakistan now...after all, he doesn't need pace, all he has to do is turn that arm 360 degress and produce magic. I am hoping that Asif and Gul could become something close; they were on that path when Waqar was the coach, weren't they?
Please, doctor, do one thing right, bring Waqar back!
And don't make the stupidity of selecting different captains for Tests and One-days, and please don't bring a baseball coach for fielding, unless it is "only" for stregthening the throwing arm. Your parrot logic of memorizing books for your doctorship doesn't warrant you a position "extra smart" in the anals of cricket. Someone please change the chairman so that we get someone who "knows" cricket before claiming to understand it.

For god's sake, get rid of your fixation! Take the fact that the record has been broken in the right spirit! God, India and Pakistan will never improve. They will forever be remembering the 1983 and 1992 world cups. Learn to live in the present man, else you'll be trampled upon by Australia and the rest.

He was a good bowler who could not resist tampering with the ball. I once saw a match between Lancs and leicester in 1993, he took about 3/4 wickets in one over but before the over had started there he was at the bottom of my tv screen scratching away at the quarter seam. I have never seen McGRATH do that. Great bowlers just don,t do that!

Well there is no doubt that Wasim was indeed the Sultan of Swing and Pakistan was definitely a better team with him. It was a treat to watch him bowl with that fast arm action, not many can claim to have that smooth action and run-up.Also McGrath's success also depends on the bowling of Prowess of Shane Warne. They both really formed an awesome bowling option for Australia's firepower. Pakistan also hunted in pair of Wasim and Waqar for some of mid-90's era and it showed in their performance also. Calling him the greatest bowler of his generation fits the bill as he rose from the dusty tracks of sub-continent to the eternal glory. Not many (being diabetic)can run from close the crease and deliver the ball with such great effect.

Well indeed, I agree with you on that one, Kamran.
Wasim Akram was the greatest fast bowler this country produced, better even than Imran, his mentor. He could do it at all times of an innings and with all sorts of deliveries. He was the first fast bowler who could bowl an entire spell without bowling the same delivery twice.Thought only spinners could do it.
Who can ever forget those two deliveries in the WC final in '92 when he became the choice of every generation.
A true genius, one of the two delights in Pakistan cricket over the last decade (the other being Inzamam who looks a lost man nowadays)and someone you could bank on for 10-1-28-2 every time he took the field.
Well played, sir and thank you for representing my country with pride and distinction.

No doubt Wasim was a clossus. But this is also clear that our team could have achieved much more during his time. The major impediment was lack of unity and lack of proper cricketing structure. Kamran, I seem to agree with your comment 100% "The resources available to Pakistan cricket in the 1990s allowed an administrative complacency to set in that has allowed its foundations to crumble away." This is the kind of analysis and insightful comments we look from people like you and Osman Samiuddin. For God sake dont turn an expected shambolic on-field performance into a match fixing allegation following comments from Safaraz Nawaz. You dont need intellectual insight from Aamir Sohail, Sarfaraz Nawaz, Rashid Latif, Miandad....all of them have their goals. Sarfaraz does not deserve any space in cricket news at least.

wasim akram and glenn mcgrath: both masterful bowlers and its hard to separate--statistically--their contributions to the teams they played for. however, of the two (of anybody) wasim was the more prodigiously talented and heartstoppingly exciting. he should be remembered not just with praise but with awe.

and to Ashaq: i completely agree with your post above... that's what makes this blog, and its posts, great. don't take crap from anyone.

I was watching ESPN LEGEND OF CRICKET yesterday. RAvi Shastri was interview by ESPN and he said he think AKRAM was best CRICKETER in 90s. He said "He thinks Akram was much batter than TENDULKAR AND LARA."I am totaly agree with Ravi.

Yeah, you are all correct. Wasim was the best. Pakistan is the best. McGrath is a fluke supported by his team-mates...blah, blah, blah. You guys really have to start thinking about your next great player - not bagging current greats. There were a dozen greats a decade ago, just as there are now. You need to get your guys to aspire to greatness and win some games. It is a team game after all...

It surprises me to see Pakistanis getting so overboard in their praises as well as in condemnations when it comes to describing anything pakistani. For me Wasim is most noticeable for his performance in the last two matches of WC 92 and for hmmmmm nothing esle almost. For me he was far more noticeable for the petty politics he got involved in against first miandad and then with almost every other prominent player that pakistan saw during his period, especially Waqar (who in my opinion was a far superior bowler on all accounts but was ruined carrier-wise by the guy named wasim). If Waqar had played as many matches as wasim did he would have ended up with far better aggregates. Besides Waqar and Imran are also more remembered for far more victories they won for Pakistan single handedly than wasim ever did. Comparing to Glenn Mcgrath, again I feel it's an unfair comparison and its evident in the numbers tied to the records. Mcgrath ofcourse with far fewer matches accomplished more than wasim did in far more matches. The comparison between both of them is the same like comparing Lara and Tendulkar. (Lara would accomplish double of what Tendulkar has achieved in the number of matches tendulkar has played). Wasim is over rated to the max. He owes a lot to waqar for what he achieved as a captain, the same man he almost destroyed in his prime.

The man was a god! I totally agree with your comments. Best Left arm bowler of all time and probably in the top 5 bowlers of all time!

Wasim Akram remains the best left arm in the world in history of cricket. That bring to question as to why he is not the bowling caoch/advisor to Pakistan. Even India should not be averse to hiring him as a bowling coach. Some how Akram has shown reluctance in coaching to Pakistan officially. And may be political reasons are keeping him away from India. Of course he has always generously offered useful tips to all asking for help.
He has made a great contribution to world of cricket, We hope and expect that he shall contribute through his inputs and advice to future generations pacers from sub continent.
Hats off to great Wasim Akram we really miss you..!!

Yes...but Glenn McGrath is a much much much much better Test match bowler than Akram was.

no doubt Wasim was a big bowler,he is bowler of that kind which never felt pressure after got a any six or four on a bad delivery.He has the variety of balls in one over.

Yes, he was brilliant bowler, but I say he was an excellent cricketor, because he was the best batsman as well as a brilliant bowler. And that's why I see him SUPERIOR than Mcgrath.

in short althou i'm from Pakistan, but after Wasim the bowler whom i admired da most is Glen. no doubt both r great

Salam to all. Both Mcgrath And Akram Fantastic Bowlers The best of there generation ther is no doubt. However when you look at careers of both closely you would give the edge to the great Was. Akram is a idol. He has had to put up with so much pakistani politics, Accusations of match fixing, Ball Tampering etc yet he has come beyond this and still become a legend. Glenn was is a fantastic bowler but was had that x factor. Watching him bowl is like watching federer play tennis he makes it beautiful viewing. To sum it up in the words of Allan Border "If I was reborn as a cricketer I would be Wasim Akram"

Wasim Akram is not only the best bowler of his generation , but I would rank him the greatest bowler ever in the history of cricket. Show me someone who can move the ball both ways (sometimes a single delivery would seemingly come in and then go the other way) plus the pace, the left hander's angle and what not. I feel rather fortunate that I did not become an international player during his time. As someone said, he is 'Gods own left arm'. The greatest fast bowler. Period.

I would have to say, that Wasim was an outright better bowler than Mcgrath. It's a Shame Mohammad Asif Missed this World Cup because in 12 years time he would have ecplised McGrath. Wasim in what I remember of him was an ora to watch. Glen M is a boring bowler.

Some years ago I watched Australia take on Pakistan at the MCG in a ODI. Australia were cruising and seemed to have the measure of all the bowlers. On came Wasim for his second spell, off a short run yet he seemed to generate great pace and suddenly the batting looked ordinary.

He had that rare ability to make it look so easy and that's why people say he underachieved. He didn't, and in my view he is surely the greatest left armer of them all. And let's not forget he could bat and always looked like he enjoyed the game and had fun, in stark contrast to the current Pakistan side. After Imran he is the greatest player his country has produced.

To win an accolade from His Majesty Prince Brian Charles Lara is an achievement itself. But hey isn't Wasim Akram (still) The Sultan of Swing himself? He definitely was a champion on the field and as another champion takes over his tally, let us take out a minute to hail the Original Champ. As for Glen Mcgrath, well he was born on that channel outside the off stump, he has lived over there and will die on that channel. Heck even his last wish would be to be burried just outside the off-stump on a cricket pitch.
Cheers!

Adam Chalmers- you say that Lara leads an incompetent team, and then complain that "only Lara's greatness" is heightened. That just doesn't make any sense- Lara's greatness is heghtened beacuse he leads an incompetent team! (And to be fair, West Indies are inconsistent more than incompetent.) "Ricky Ponting flays attacks all day...and doesn't throw a fit" when it gets tough? He never loses his cool? You're kidding me, right? And yes, he does flay attacks every day- very average ones full of inconsistent bowlers. Anyone will tell you that the bowling attcks of the 90s were far, far superior to the bowling attacks today. And you may be interested to know that both Tendulkar and Lara average over 50 in test cricket against Australia (with Tendulkar being marginally ahead). But Lara has made a whopping 3 double centuries against us, and almost single-handedly drew the series in 1998, against a bowling lineup that Ponting could never hope to face. That's the key to Lara's greatness- he's put on a record load of runs against consistently tough opposition, usually by himself. Now you can make a similar case for Tendulkar, but at least try not to patronise other players while you're doing it.

I agree with you Kamran. And given the fact that Wasim got an astonishing number of wickets despite the often dismal fielding from his colleagues while McGrath always had safe hands behind the stumps (keepers and slip catchers) make his achievements even more great.

Both are good. Styles are different but both are effective. Mcgrath is like a cold blooded assassin, calm, calculated and waiting for the right moment to strike with a machine like accuracy and consistency.
Wasim was more like a 'In your face' boxing champ. Arrogant, confident and never say die mindset. Perhaps the way his figures are not that impressive because sometimes he had overdone things. Never worried about leaking runs, never bothered the slip fielders... just wanted to blast away your stumps or your toes(Lara in 1992 WC)
Too bad one has already left the cricket field and the other is about to left.

Kamran,

I agree that as a bowler, Wasim had no equal. But where is his legacy? I can't see McGrath, Lara, Hayden, Ponting etc....not having some say in the future development in their respective countries. Why do Pakistan have no pacemen who have modelled their actions on Wasim, or better still have been trained and developed by Wasim.

To be a great cricketer should not have been enough with Wasim's talent - to leave a pool of talent for Pakistan would be a great legacy. We need our ex-players now, more than ever before. So raise an appeal, get the politics out of the way, and get Saeed anwar, Wasim and Waquar and Aaqib, Moin and Latif, Miandad, Inzi, Ejaz Ahmed, Saqlain, Mushie, all of them into the national coaching set up and showing our youngsters how it should be done. They still have a lot to offer, but due to the crap that is the PCB, I can't see it ever happening.

By the way, the name being touted as Team Coach - Aaqib Javed, what are your thoughts. Contrary to my argument above, where I would like to see his eapertise called on to enhance talent, I think a foreign coach, with NO AGENDA other than to make our team into winners is the only way forward.

Wasim the best of his generation?? I think Kamran and a few Wasim die hard fans have let what Lara said go to their heads a bit. McGrath is a MUCH better bowler than Wasim. And do we so quickly disregard Warne, Murali, Ambrose as well. Pull your head in Kamran.

And Lara, how many times did McGrath get you out? Stopped counting right? Yeah but Wasim was better...

Look I don't want to be a party pooper Wasim was a great player I just think we should be a little more careful before we throw "greatest" around every five minutes. Isn't this the same guy who said that Abdul Qadir was the greatest legspinner? I'm waiting for the next post where he says Miandad was better than Bradman. Stop looking at cricket through green tinted glasses please.

I think Lara, Wasim, Tendulkar & McGrath have all entertained us for so many years. These players have given us so much entertainment.
My worry is will we be able to see the same class & entertainment in future???

No, Waqar was the best hadn't he underwent an operation for the back in the mid 90s. Wasim was great too. But i think if waqar had not had that operation, he would have easily surpassed almost all the records in bowling department. Of all the 470+ wickets in his tests, the first 200 came in just 37 tests with an incredible average and strike rate.

From 1990-1994, Waqar was equally unplayable as Wasim for all the teams because of his sheer pace and accuraccy. But destiny was such taht he was forced to change his action slightly and i think it affected his rhythm a lot and then runs started leaking. Or else he would have surpassed everyone in the world so easily in both forms of the games.

Surprisingly, he is just 35 years old now, and he retired 3 years back. So that means by the age of 32, if someone can take 450+ wickets in tests and around 400 wickets in onedayers, he is the greatest. Even Akram played until his 37th age, as is Mcgrath, Warne or whoever it is.

According to me, Waqar was equally good as Wasim, should given 10/10 for both, where as Mcgrath cannot be compared to the great Ws.

But i feel pity towards the condition of the Pakistani cricket now and how they treat the former players.

Why cant PCB make Wasim as teh coach and Waqar as the bowling coach. I am wondering what a mediocre spin bowler like Mushtaq Ahmed can do being an assistant coach. Will he be able to help fast bowlers in bowling googly, flipper and doosra or those sort of things to the upcoming fast bowlers. Waste of money and waste of time. If PCB really wants a spin bowler to be the bowling coach, then Abdul Qadir was far better for teh sake of it.

Yes, wasim was a born bowler.... a genius .... McGrath a bowler who was made not born...
what ruined akram's charisma was his off the field indulgence in politics

There is no question of comparing McGrath with Wasin Akram. McGrath always played with a good and confident team but on the other hand Wasim most of the times playes with a mediocre team. Wasim is the all time best bowler in one day cricket and no one can beat him what so even. Ask McGrath to bowl against Australians and earnt he same reputation as Wasim did. I doubt if it will even happen. WASIM ROCKS!!!

Kamran if there is anyone suitable to lead PCB its you, your clear thinking and coupled with beautiful words is music to my ears. I wish we had admnistrators like you in our Cricket Board, please help our cricket in any shape way or form. Nice blog as always. Akram was special talent put polluted his image to some extent (story of our country).

Hello out there - Does the name Curtley Ambrose mean anything to anybody? Given a choice of bowlers which one of Akram, McGrath and big Curtley would a captain pick to bowl the last over of a tight one day international? Forget your country of origin for a moment and think about it.

Sorry I forgot to add to my last post that Alan Davidson may have something to say when it comes to talk about greatest left hand fast bowlers. Davidson carried the Australian attack for 10 years magnificently, averaged 25 with the bat and was known as 'the claw' for his superb close in catching ability. Richie Benaud for one doesn't rate one ahead of the other.

"I'm undecided on the merit of these tactics but you seem to hail a Pakistani great every time an Aussie or other player is in the limelight. First it was Abdul Qadir when Shane Warne retired. Now Wasim when McGrath broke his record."

You make a few valid points but what the above poster said was true. It seems Mr Abbasi that you seem too eager to thrust your Pakistani contemporaries into the limelight. Sure Wasim was great, possibly even better than McGrath but as the poster pointed out this is McGrath's moment. You did a similar thing when Warne retired with a petty headline that went along the lines of 'Warne's good but Qadir is better'. This is entirely unnecessary. You keep citing the fact that McGrath plays for Australia and Wasim plays for Pakistan, which is some kind of handicap. How is this McGrath's fault? For all we know Wasim was a central figure in the matchfixing scandal and the 'dirty politics' you refer to. All I can say is at least this article is slightly more balanced than the last.

Yup Wasim was absolutely fantastic. I hope upcoming fast bowlers can benifit from his services.

To people like Steve and Brett ("getting rid of our fixation" "You guys really have to start thinking about your next great player") your words of wisdom and sincerity is appreciated by Pakistani fans. However this blog is called Pak spin and is about remembering Wasim (read the title if you dont beleive me.)

Wasim was undoubtably the best left arm bowler in all time, as well as a batsman whose runs made a big difference in many games. On paper, Glenn has better figures in tests and in odi's with slightly lower averages, but in reality, you have to cosider Wasim playing for a side not as strong overall as Mcgrath's. Mcgrath had a superoir batting, bowling and fielding side he could rely on to keep the pressure always on.

Another factor is that Wasim a captain and a very handy batsman. Glenn was only ever a bowler and all his job included was to get wickets and get the job done as a bowler. Wasim made an amazing not out double century against zimbabwe in tests and glenn with a misely average of 7.

Wasim was definately the better cricket player of the two!

I never could understand how no one (other than pakistan) has tried to recruit wasim as their bowling coach as he has so many things to teach. Purely on the basis of skills, I think he is the greatest bowler of all time.

to the older generation it was all about imran khan. to my generation it will always be about imran, but more so it will be wasim. this guy knew how to set the house on fire. six variations of deliveries in one over.. what a bowler!! the best left arm bowler ever, and arguably the best bowler to date. leave pakistan politics out of it, this guy would single handedly rip batting line ups apart. i remember in pakistans tour of india in 1999, wasim and waqar were cheered and treated like gods by the indian faithful. who can forget the 92 final, wasim pumped up after removing lamb and then chris lewis next ball. young lad of 22, the world at his feet. amazing times, whoever says stop living in the past surely doesn't know how great the past was. indeed it could have been better, but such is the nature of pakistani people and politics. but hey that another issue, heres to wasim akram, pakistans golden kid... lets hope asif can take up the mantle now. a cross between mcgrath and akram? what do you think guys? would be amazing for pakistan and world cricket

What a joy it was to watch Wasim bowl and doubly more when it was in tandem with Waqar making it the W show all the way. As an indian I could only watch on telly with my jaw open as he mesmerised all (batsmen including) with his ability to bowl anything at any given time. It was the game's loss when the W show stopped for one reason or the other and all the allegations against him seemed to affect him. But he soldiered on nonetheless, and was a joy to watch till the end. If only he had concentrated a bit more on his batting! I truly believe that if he wasnt affected by diabetes he would have been far more lethal and THAT would have been unmatchable. Thank God Wasim played cricket.

Wasim Akram's opening spell was, for me, the raison d'etre to watch one day cricket. No one I have ever watched bowl quite combined guile, craft, and such consummate artistry into one package. And, never ever did he raise an eyebrow, let alone a finger in anger to tell the dumbstruck victim to hurry along. Just that infectious smile and all one had to do was to wait for the next batsman to be ruffled completely.

For anyone who still wishes to cite the infamous Justice Qayyum, it is very well known, and not just in judicial circles, that the man's rectitude was not quite above board; regardless of his judicial acumen, I am thus loathe to respect any inquiries or judgements by such a man. The only dark spot that I ever heard about Wasim came from many young fast bowlers, and is just an accusation, since it can not really be proved; that he despised any young talented fast bowler. Regardless of this or all his talents, one fact remains, and reminds us all that Wasim was just human, much as his feats suggest otherwise. That fact simply is that he was never able to produce anyone greater than himself; it would have been an incomparable gift to all his fans.

He was a good bowler who could not resist tampering with the ball. I once saw a match between Lancs and leicester in 1993, he took about 3/4 wickets in one over but before the over had started there he was at the bottom of my tv screen scratching away at the quarter seam. I have never seen McGRATH do that. Great bowlers just don,t do that!

wasim akram's two deliveries in the 1992 final are considered to b his best or the best in world cup history. But my question is can any one produced a deliver like the one he produced (if one remembers)in the famous test match at chennie to clean bowled the bastman of the callibre of Rahul Dravid??????

Wasim:
What can i say about sultan of swing. probably one of the best fast bowlers in the world and the best from Pakistan.

We cannot compare Mcgrah to wasim as they both are different bowlers, playing for different teams and Operating in different conditions.
1. Our fielders never supported our fast bowlers where as Aussies have been the best fielding side for some time now.
2.Wasim never had Warne operating from one side.
3. Mcgrah was lethal with new ball but in later stages he struggled, whereas wasim can make any ball talk.
4. wasim played in sub continent wickets taylor made for batting n Mcgrah played most of his games in Aus and UK,

So the central idea is both of them are great bowlers but there is no match for wasim akram, who will remain the sultan of swing.

Its depressing to see that Wasim does not feature in the current Pakistan team set up. He would be the ideal bowling coach, advisor or what ever, he should some how be in current scheme of things.

No other country with exception of Pakistan will waste such a talented guy.

Here we go again...watch everyone blindly trash each other on who the better player was. Totally unneeded discussion, we really need to get out of the habit of randomnly praising our past heroes. No doubt they were greats, but it would do more good if everyone was to concentrate on the current situation.

Both Wasim and Glen Mcgrath will go down in cricket history, as great fast bowlers. Wasim was sensational with many deliveries and variations in his attack. Mcgrath is consistent and what he lacks in variation is made up in line, length and accuracy.

Fortunately for Ossies there is life in their bowling departmen after Mcgrath, while Pakistan after Wasim and Waqar lacks in pacemen who can hunt in packs. Asif, Umer Gul, Rana Naveed, and even Shoaib Akhtar are not in the same class. The fast bowling is at best toothless and against the better teams helpless.

Australia will miss Glen Mcgrath like millions of fans throughout the world. Even at 37 Mcgrath still stands out towering heads and shoulders over other pacemen and has troubled the best batsmen in the business. He could clearly play for a few more years, but elected to go and give youngsters a chance to replace him.

We miss Wasim and Glen will be missed too.

For me left arm fast bowling doesn't get any better. He really was the grand master of swing bowling and without an iota of doubt was the greatest fast bowler to grace the cricketing field our times. Someone truly described his as the left hand of God.

I was at the group game vs Australia at Headingley in 1999 which Wasim won in the 50th over. If memory serves correctly Australia needed 12 off the final over to win which we all felt they would get only for Wasim to take the last 2 wickets!

I also agree with JB above that watching him out-smart the batsmen was a quality few other bowlers posses.

Great comments by Farrukh when he says
"So Dr Nasim Ashraf has set up a 3 member team to find out the cause of World Cup failure.I thought
Nasim Ashraf himself and Salim Altaf were the major reasons for this failure.May be Osama Bin Laden should be made in charge of investigations for who bombed the World Trade Center!!"

The person who spoiled all is trying to find out the causes of it...how funny and disappointing..pray to God that these not cricketing people stop spoiling our cricket.."

Indeed Wasim Akram was the greated left aram bowler ever seen by the World but i would say that he did not do justice to his talent in the test arena..

Wasim was great but he was human, he was a natural leader and commanded respect, However, it is pertinent to note that he had his issues and ego problems especially with Waqar younis, someone equally gifted. Both of them could have worked for greater heights of the teams but kept bickering and getting involved in politics. It's apt that both had their careers ended after the same world cup!

Thanks Kamran for at last writing something in the defense of Wasim. Over the years i have cried like anything when everytime i would hear English/Australian commentator praising the likes of McGrath but not a word would even be uttered in remembrance of Wasim. I even heard one of the commentators say "McGrath is the best bowler of 1990's", WHAT?. And then there would be this lame statement "Wasim is the best LEFT HAND bowler to have played cricket". Come on for heavens sake. Just to reserve praise for McGrath they would attach "BEST LEFT HAND BOWLER" for Wasim. They keep praising Dennis Leillee which i think was a fine bowler but i strongly believe that Wasim is one of the most complete and is the greatest bowler to have played cricket. I have never seen anyone like him. Dennis lillee never knew reverse swing and McGrath, even untill now, cannot bowl in the death overs.
No doubt that Wasim was the greatest.
Kamran, thanks for defending our heroes and this was long overdue.

Thanks
Shahid.

Is it just me or are Pakistani fans the most nationalist and biased in the world? Glen Mcgrath has just set a record for world cup wickets by overtaking one of my idols - the great wasim. Whilst I don´t have any problems with acknowledging wasim´scachievement on the way to paying tribute to Mcgrath, I do have a problem with the fact that a Pakistani pundit has decided to take this opportunity to stand on the mountains and shout out about the past glories of one of its plyers. This moment is not about Wasim Akram, this moment is about GD Mcgrath. Whilst I´m here, I would also raise the question about the need for ´Kamran Abbasi´s Pak spin´? Why is there not also an Aussie spin or English spin or Indian spin etc????

What will happen or what can be done for Pakistani cricket would be the best blog I expect you to run Kamran. Regards Wasim and McGrath I thing both are legends cricket. Numbers, average only count when you are new in this game and they were beyond this limit.

my mum is the best bowler

Wasim Akram and Glenn McGrath cannot be compared with one another- statistics don't often tell the whole story and it is incorrect to just go by statistics.
There are a few deliveries/spells which would remain forever in my memory.

Wasim Akram- World Cup 92 final, where he nailed Allam Lamb and Chris Lewis; his hat-trick in the Australasia Cup Final (and other hat-tricks too); ALL his LBW deliveries and his appeals!

Glenn McGrath- The way he bowled Lara in 99 World Cup (one of the best deliveries in cricket that I have ever seen); his spell at Lords in 2005; his knack of getting the top guns, and a sense of occasion in his achievements.

Without question, Wasim Akram was in a different class altogether, compared to McGrath. I think Pakistan fielders must have dropped about two hundred catches off his bowling, in his career, so that about takes care of the wicket difference. Also, consider that he got the best batsmen out as well, just never trumpeted it like McGrath. Wasim needed no Aussie-style psyche-out, mental disintegration, sledging, or any of that garbage. He was of the old school: the ball talked, plus the odd glare down the pitch.
Having said that, yes, we really need to move on. In the current Pakistani crop there is not a single player approaching the capabilities of Wasim, Lara, McGrath, Tendulkar, Ponting, Warne, Murali. Mohammad Yousuf is batting well but that's about it. I live in the US, but I implore all the commenters here to play some good cricket, not just talk about it, so we can have a good team in coming years!

Ashaq Bhai,
Sir I did not mean serious offence! Apologies if you took those comments to the heart. But I guess you have a right to criticise me the same way I have a go at Mr Javed A Khan for arguing with Euceph Ahmed. I will be honest and sincere with you; the only thing which really irritates me about you is when you write “off course”.
I am from the inner city as well. I went to the worst school in Manchester which was about to be closed down because of its pitiful state. But in my A-levels I worked really hard and went to one of the top law schools in the world, Alhamdulillah. In no way I am superior to you; I just constructively criticise people. The last thing I want to do is cause disharmony between individuals. As far as you are concerned, sometimes I feel you cross the limit and make jingoistic comments which you shouldn’t considering the fact that this blog is open to individuals of all nationalities and also considering you reside the in UK and not Pakistan. If you must know, most of the people I meet in Manchester (aka Little Pakistan) are people from Mirpur/Jhelum etc.- uneducated and uncivilised.

Wasim was a magician truly, but I wish he had stayed away from politics and match fixing. Waqar was no angel either and I don’t want this thread to turn into whether Waqar or McGrath are superior in any way to Wasim, but I do feel that if Wasim had not played his part in Waqar’s relative underachievement, Waqar would have been the greatest of them all.

People often state that Lara is a better batsman than Tendulkar. I am not a Tendulkar fan, but left handers, because they are rare, always have the advantage over right handers. Bowlers find it slightly difficult to bowl at left handers, which is why we see more left handed attacking batsmen, generally. In the same vein Wasim has the advantage of his whippy action and bowling around the wicket to most batsmen which arguably made him more effective than Waqar or McGrath.

Ok, if you want me to make comments straight from my heart- Waqar is the eternal best bowler. No one can match his rhythm, his ability to late-swing the ball at a high pace and his aggression. No one can match his yorkers. Plus he still holds the record for the best strike rate amongst all experienced bowlers (200 wickets+). Mr Abbasi’s article on Waqar after the latter’s retirement is one of the best I have ever read and pays an appropriate tribute to Waqar. If all that isn’t enough, he was a right hander.

My request to posters is to stop including factors like team fielding ability/resources etc in their comparative analyses. Let us accept that McGrath and Wasim are both great bowlers. If we really must distinguish them, we should talk about their different bowling styles; Glenn as a line and length bowler who exploits the corridor of uncertainty whereas Wasim relied more on swing and fuller length deliveries.

Finally, people who are yet again criticising Mr Abbasi for this article, take a breather for once! PakSpin should not be restricted to playing XI’s and the best strategy to adopt owing to a current crisis (esp keeping in mind that Pakistani cricket is always suffering through some crisis). Mr Abbasi is human like all of us so he deserves a break from everyone detailing their views about who should play and how the team should perform better. I admit that for posters like us, advising about our preferences on strategy and players is interesting but you have to feel for the blog owner as well!

Dear Mr. Abbasi,

Off topic - apologies.

But then, seems to me - when ever some non-Pakistani cricketer is being praised, you _HAVE_ to write a piece saying there exists / existed a Pakistani cricketer who is / was better. I remember you writing a page full of horse manure comparing Warne to Mushtaq.

Admittedly Wasim was one of his kind bowler, and a great one at that; but what prompts you to write these 'i know xxx is good - but we had produced a better cricketer' pieces all the time??

Amused.

Oh! I see this article was posted on April 1st Mr. Abbasi - how very descriptive about yourself..

Wasim Akram was a joy to watch, played with great heart, flair and passion that we may not find in Glenn's. However, due respect has to be given Mcgrath for what he has acheived. I like many still beleive Wasim is one of the best bowlers to have played cricket. The sheer joy of watching the 2 W's bowl together is something what we miss today. I sinceely hope that the present Pakistani bowlers should imbibe the art from this great man.

Wasim was better than McGrath, Ambrose was better than Wasim, Marshall was better than Ambrose......blah blah blah.

hmm.., wasim and glen are two different bowlers.. wasim had many a times the added responsibility of captaining the pakistani team, which in a fact must have affected his bowling concentration.. thus less wicket taking deliveries and not to forget those DROPPED CATCHES!!!! glen on the other hand has always been in the same role since he ever started playing for australia.

Wasim Badshah Akram was the greatest and most exciting bowler of his generation and post his retirement Pakistan cricket has lost that zing and excitement. Being from India, i used to hate him when he used to celebrate every Indian wkt to fall like he s won a war, but he used to pump excitement in the crowd and fans like us. When he was around, the Pakistan were a different team, not ready to loose till final ball...And now look at wots happening...He was a superb captain who used to bring best out of every single player...Abdur razzaq was a different plane when he played in 1999 and so was Akhtar.....

When he was around India - Pakistan matches were spare and they had intensity. His duals with Sachin and Saurav were delight to watch!!!!!

wasim akram was of course the greatest of his time. however, mcgrath has been a real asset for aussis in last 12 years. and he also have many achievements under his belt. i think its good to praise both. they were golden assets of cricket. cricket gets the honour of watching art of two geniuses of their times.
good article though.

I totally agree with these comments about Wasim. I think he is the best bowler I have seen in the last 20-25 years and the only other bowler in my mind compete
with him for the best bowler is Shane Warne. I haven't saw Wasim hammered to all parts of ground by any team. He had a lot of variety and the ability to
come back i.e. whenever hit for a four bowl an excellent ball next up. He not only himself was a great bowler but also used to carry other bowlers along
with him e.g. when he was a captain even bowlers like Abdul Razzaq, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Azhar Mahmood used to perform very well along with Shoaib Akhtar.
I remember that during 90's sometimes Pakistani batting used to let them down with poor batting but Pakistani bowling led by Wasim used to defend the low
score and won those matches. I am pretty sure that if same bowling lineup of nineties would have been playing than we might be able to defend that low total against Ireland.
I also agree with this comment that he would have done even better if there was not any politics involved or few differences within the team at that time and also with less
hostile behavior of Pakistani people whenever we lost any game. I think we need someone like him in the current pakistani team as I don't see any bowler or player who
can perform like him.

Indeed should I pick an All Time XI then certainly Wasim would be an instant pick. There was little the man couldn't do, 'cept perhaps lead the Pakistan team - then again, who can?!

As a test bowler Wasim could be agressive or passive. He had the ability to read the game and play it accordingly. Never before have I seen anyone generate that kind of pace from that sort of a run up.
As a one day bowler he could contain and choke the batsmen out.
With the bat he could stick around in tests, often scoring some very good scores. But as a one day batsman he could be devestating knocking it to all corners.

All of that said, Mcgrath has played in a stronger side where the other bowlers have as much chance of taking a wicket as he does. Mcgrath also has played fewer world cup games than Wasim. Does this then, not prove that he was a better bowler? You decide.

But again, when picking my All Time XI, Wasim would be my first pick.

Despite the wild attraction of Shoaib Akhtar's powerful run up, or the metronomic qualities of McGrath or the lumbering ease of Warne, the best site in world cricket over last 25 years was the way Wasim Akram on a song. The huge swingers, the lethal yorkers, the sharp bouncers and often the searing pace meant he inspired a generation of youngsters to take up fast bowling.

Undoubtedly Wasim Akram was the greatest bowler and probably the best when it came to bowling in the death in ODI's.His wickets tally could have been much more if he had a better fielding side at his disposal considering Mcgrath does and that is why he has so many more wickets in test cricket than many other bowlers.In my opinion Wasim could have easily ended up taking 500 test scalps at the very least if the fielding of the Pakistani team would have been half of what the Aussies have had over the last decade or so.
In all probably one of the finest left arm bowler to have played the game and the best produced by Pakistan by quite a margin.

If Wasim Akram did not involve in match fixing and played with devotion.
On his class he could have seventy plus wickets in the world cup matches.

Unforunately HARAMA KHORI also effected this great fast bowler.

Gulab Khan
Peshawer

Evan as an Australian I must put Wasim at the top pedestal of the fast bowlers of my generation, alongside only Curtyly Ambrose.

Wasim could do more with a ball, new or old, than any other modern bowler. He had express pace (used more sparingly but still there in his later years) off disarmingly short run up.

He lacked the sheer contol, intimidating aura and destructive power of ambrose (a spell of 7 for 2 at the WACA!) but only slightly.

McGrath comes third to these two.

My only regret is that Wasims talented batting was allowed to waste when he could have been a true Imran type alrounder.

Oh. and just asl Michael Slater about the danger of Wasims bouncer, even on an old track. He says Wasim once bowled him two overs of rapid bouncers on a dead but uneven pakistan wicket, some of the toughest bowling he ever faced.

Nice try Kamran. Fortunately at least Euceph Ahmed and Faridoon above have seen through your pitiful tactics. I agree wholeheartedly with their comments. In addition I would like to suggest that it's about time you learned to be a little more gracious. Last time, with wonderful timing on the occasion of Warne's retirement, you said that he wasn't as good a bowler as Qadir. Biggest reaction to a blog ever. 4 million responses and what a clever fellow you are to have created such a stir. Only problem was, all you really managed to do was be divisive and offend not only the memory of those two great players but a whole heap of their fans as well. This time you didn't even have the guts to just come out and say it so you fluff around for a couple of paragraphs trying to pretend you have some real regard for McGrath and then quote Brian Lara and a nameless "host" of Australian past players (who probably have faced McGrath at his peak about as often as I have) to make your point. I agree that Michael Slater and Damien Fleming are fine commentators but if they are your "host" I'd suggest a rethink. Slater, like McGrath played state cricket for NSW and wouldn't have played "against" his mate since schoolboys cricket, if at all. Incidentally, he was by his own admission pretty hopeless at the 50 over game but one of my favour