When Wasim Akram talks about Pakistani cricket, people listen. And when he names his top three all-time greats from Pakistan, we know he’s taking us on a journey down cricket’s memory lane. Recently, the Sultan of Swing shared his picks, leaving himself out of the lineup—though he was urged to include himself.
Instead, he selected three absolute legends who, according to him, define the essence of Pakistani cricket. Let’s dive into Akram’s top three choices and what he had to say about them.
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No. 3: Waqar Younis – The Perfect Bowling Partner
Kicking things off, Wasim Akram chose his partner-in-crime, Waqar Younis. Wasim and Waqar’s partnership is the stuff of legend, feared by batsmen worldwide. If you’ve ever watched the two bowl together, you’d understand why Waqar’s on this list. Known for his toe-crushing yorkers and raw pace, Waqar brought a lethal edge to Pakistan’s bowling attack.
Akram admitted it was impossible to leave Waqar off any “best of” list. “Look, I’ve been told I might go off the script here. I’ve been told that I have to pick myself up, and I’m a bit embarrassed to do that. But number three, I pick Waqar Younis,” he explained.
It’s hard to imagine one without the other—Wasim and Waqar, a pair that defined a generation of fast bowling.
No. 2: Javed Miandad – The Iconic Fighter
Next up on Akram’s list is the one and only Javed Miandad. Known for his gritty style, Miandad was a player who could turn games around, and his influence on Pakistan cricket is impossible to ignore. From his last-ball six against India in 1986 to his ability to read bowlers like an open book, Miandad was a master of the mental game.
Akram didn’t hold back in his praise, saying, “Number two is great Javed Miandad. I mean, every time you talk about greats coming out of Pakistan, Javed Miandad, his name is right up there.” Miandad’s impact on Pakistan cricket isn’t just about his stats; it’s about his spirit, his fight, and his knack for shining when the pressure was on.
No. 1: Imran Khan – The Ultimate Allrounder
And now, for Akram’s top pick: Imran Khan. Wasim didn’t just pick Imran for his legendary status as Pakistan’s World Cup-winning captain; he chose him for his sheer brilliance on the field.
Imran’s leadership and allrounder skills elevated him to cricket royalty, and he stood tall among the best allrounders of his time—playing alongside Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee, and Kapil Dev.
“It’s got to be Imran Khan. I’ve seen him in his prime days as a cricketer, not off the field as a playboy, but as a cricketer. I mean, he was a proper, proper allrounder,” Akram recalled, clearly still in awe.
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Imran’s legacy goes beyond just stats; he was the complete package—a leader, a mentor, and a relentless competitor. Wasim Akram’s humility shines through in this list. Let’s face it—he’s a legend in his own right, and many would argue he deserves a spot on any list of Pakistan’s greatest cricketers.
But by leaving himself out, he put the spotlight on his heroes and his admiration for them. It’s this humility and love for the game that’s kept Akram close to cricket fans worldwide, even after his retirement.
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