Wasim Akram is widely considered one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history and is famously known as the “Sultan of Swing”. A legendary left-arm pacer for Pakistan, he was a master of conventional and reverse swing, frequently delivering lethal yorkers and bouncers at high speed.
Current Roles (April 2026)
- Broadcasting: He is a prominent cricket commentator, currently part of the commentary panel for the T20 World Cup 2026.
- PSL Engagement: He serves as the President and bowling coach for the Karachi Kings and was recently appointed as a Brand Ambassador for PSL 2026.
- PCB Relationship: In February 2026, he declined an offer to serve as CEO or advisor to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) due to personal reasons.
Career Statistics and Records
Akram was the first bowler to reach 500 ODI wickets and remains the highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in both Tests and ODIs.
| Format [9, 10, 11, 12, 13] | Matches | Wickets | Average | Runs Scored | High Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 104 | 414 | 23.62 | 2,898 | 257* |
| ODI | 356 | 502 | 23.53 | 3,717 | 86 |
- World Records: He holds the record for the most sixes in a single Test innings (12) and the highest score by a number 8 batsman (257*).
- Hat-tricks: He is one of only two bowlers to achieve four international hat-tricks (two in Tests, two in ODIs).
Major Achievements
- 1992 World Cup: Named Man of the Match in the final to help Pakistan win their first title.
- Accolades: Inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009 and recognized by Wisden as a premier ODI bowler.
- Awards: Awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2019 for his contributions to the sport.