This is one stats Comparison article that I have been wanting to do for a long time because it is about 2 of the best Pakistani fast bowlers to have ever played the sport in a nation which is said to have the best fast bowlers in the world. These 2 were such a lethal combination that Pakistan would win most of the matches based on the performances of these 2 alone.
Before we talk about their incredible stats, I want to say that my respect for Wasim Akram has risen a lot after his playing days because he does objective cricket analysis without bringing any bias or hatred. So, let’s look at these 2 incredible players.
Wasim Akram
It can be safely said that Wasim Akram is the greatest left arm fast bowler to have ever played the sport and there have been some amazing left arm fast bowlers. Wasim Akram was the Sultan of Swing for a reason and he would get the batters out in every way and they would not know what hit them. Wasim Akram was a joy to watch.
Check here Best Wasim Akram bowling Performances
Test Cricket
Wasim Akram was a wizard in test cricket, he played 104 Test Matches for Pakistan and in those Matches he took 414 Test wickets which is more than 4 wickets per match. He took 25 Five wicket hauls and 5 times he took 10 Wickets in a test match. He has a bowling average of 23.62. Wasim Akram was also a great lower order batter as he made 2898 runs and a highest score of 257* which is still a record at number 8 and he has the record of hitting 12 sixes in a test innings.
Also Read | Steve Waugh vs Wasim Akram Rivalry and Head to Head
ODI Cricket
Wasim Akram was one of the rarest Bowlers who took more wickets in ODIs than in test cricket and he took 414 wickets in test cricket. He played 356 ODIs for Pakistan and he took a mammoth 502 Wickets in this format which is the second highest in ODIs history. He took 6 Five wicket hauls in ODI Cricket and his bowling average was 23.53. And as a batter he made 3717 runs for Pakistan and was an important member of the 1992 World Cup win.
Also Read | Chaminda Vaas vs Wasim Akram - Stats Comparison as Fast Bowler
Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis was the fastest bowler when he played international cricket and he would instill fear in the minds of the opposition batters and thus he would get lots of wickets in both formats of cricket. Waqar Younis was a special talent and by learning with Wasim Akram he became a better bowler.
Test Cricket
Waqar Younis played 87 Test Matches for Pakistan and in these Matches he took 373 Test Wickets for Pakistan. He took 22 Five wicket hauls and 5 times he took 10 Wickets in a test match. He had a bowling average of 23.56 and he was deadly right till the end of his test career.
Check here Best Waqar Younis bowling Performances
ODI Cricket
Just like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis got more wickets in the ODI format than in Test Cricket. He played 262 ODIs for Pakistan and in those he took 416 ODI Wickets for Pakistan. He took 13 Five wicket hauls in ODIs which is a lot and his Bowling average was 23.84. Waqar Younis was not good with the bat so we cannot talk about that.
Who is the Greatest?
It was very close again between these 2 greats of Pakistan cricket and in test cricket it was Equal because Waqar Younis played 17 fewer test matches than Wasim Akram and yet he was only 40 wickets less than him so in test cricket both are equally great. In ODIs it is close as well but Wasim Akram was in a league of his own and taking 500+ wickets in this format makes him the greatest.
Also Read: Greatest Pakistani Cricketers of all time
