
Wasim Akram Reveals His Toughest Ever Opponent
When cricket fans recall the greatest fast bowlers of all time, Wasim Akramâs name stands tall. Nicknamed the âSultan of Swingâ, Akram terrorized batters for nearly two decades with his lethal pace, deadly yorkers, and mastery over reverse swing. Representing Pakistan in 104 Tests and 356 ODIs, he picked up 414 Test wickets and 502 ODI scalps, cementing his status as one of cricketâs all-time greats.
Battling Against the Worldâs Best
Throughout his illustrious career, Akram locked horns with some of the finest batters in history Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Waugh among them. Many fans and experts often considered Tendulkar his toughest rival because of the Indian legendâs unmatched technique. But when asked recently to reveal the most difficult batter he ever bowled to, Akram surprised many with his answer.
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Akram Picks Martin Crowe as His Toughest Opponent
Speaking on Stick to Cricket, Akram named New Zealandâs Martin Crowe as the batter who gave him the greatest challenge. The former Pakistan pacer explained that Croweâs consistency against Pakistan, especially during an era when fast bowling was at its peak, set him apart. What impressed Akram most was Croweâs ability to counter reverse swing â a weapon that Akram and Waqar Younis had mastered and unleashed on the cricketing world.
âLook, this is a very difficult question to answer but if you had to pick one person who scored the most runs against us and that too at a time when nobody knew about reverse swing, I would name Martin Crowe from New Zealand. He scored a lot of runs against us,â Akram said.
Croweâs Remarkable International Record
Martin Croweâs international career spanned from 1982 to 1995, during which he became New Zealandâs premier batter. In 77 Test matches, he scored 5,444 runs at a brilliant average of 45.36, including 17 centuries and 35 half-centuries. His monumental 299 against Sri Lanka remains one of the finest innings played by a New Zealander. By the time he retired, Crowe held several national records, including most Test runs and most centuries, firmly establishing himself as one of the greatest Kiwi batters of all time.
Legacy of Two Legends
While Akram is remembered as the ultimate master of swing bowling, Croweâs name continues to resonate as a batter who combined grace with grit. Their battles on the field showcased the essence of Test cricket high-quality bowling matched by equally resilient batting. Akramâs acknowledgment only strengthens Croweâs legacy as a world-class player who stood tall against the fiercest of fast bowlers.
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