It’s an interesting story of one of the legendary bowlers across the cricketing globe, as Pakistan World Cup-winning skipper-turned-politician Imran Khan reminisced about the selection process of veteran Wasim Akram which took place way back in 1984.
The 51-year-old left-arm bowler Akram made his international debut at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, in the second One-day International on November 23, 1984, against New Zealand which was led by Jeremy Coney.
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Akram, who’s fondly known as ‘Sultan of Swing’ remarkably broke into the international circuit, when he made appearance more sort of club bowler during the hosts’ net session.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Akram was picked up straight into the squad after Pakistan skipper set a demand for a club bowler, before facing the Black Caps at home.
“We saw that one bowler was bowling better than the selected bowlers, so we did not ask for his name or anything, that bowler was Wasim,” Imran was quoted as saying Brecorder.
The astute thinker and bowling star Akram didn’t look back after making his entry into Pakistan national team, and he went on to unnerve the quality batsmen owing to his guile and accuracy with the ball.
Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup by 22 runs against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Photo Credit: Getty Images.
The then Pakistan skipper Zaheer Abbas and current chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Imran heaped praise on Akram, who back then outclassed the already selected bowlers by the Board owing to the bowling stock.
Across two distinct formats, Akram went on to bag 916 wickets before turning to coach-cum-commentator.
However, the rain-curtailed fixture saw Akram bowled four overs in which he conceded 31 runs at the economy rate of 7.75 in the 20-over innings.
In the then game after being asked to bat first, Pakistan set 157 on board for the loss of five wickets which in response Kiwis were five short from the target of 158.
The visitors posted 157 for seven, as John Wright was the top-scorer with 47-ball 55.
However, Akram went wicketless on his debut, as fast bowler Mudassar Nazar bagged four wickets for conceding 27 runs in 24 deliveries.
In the same game which Pakistan won by five runs, Hanif Mohammad’s son Shoaib Mohammad also made his debut who further went on to play 63 ODIs and 45 Tests for Pakistan.
Akram, who has been lauded for his untiring efforts while being the poster boy for Pakistan during his prime days in the gentleman’s game which further saw him, being ushered as a skipper for Pakistan.
The 1984 four-match ODI series saw the scoreline 3-1, in Pakistan’s favor.
Akram, who has been the star performer for Pakistan, has set an example for the youngsters.
The prominent figure Imran played 175 ODIs and 88 Tests for Pakistan, and he collected 544 wickets and amassed 7,516 runs.
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Imran made his international debut in 1971 against England at Birmingham. He represented Pakistan for around 21 years.