Brett Lee Narrates The Story Of Wasim Akram Taking The Challenge To Dismiss Jacques Kallis In KKR's Nets

Wasim Akram is the name enough to threaten world-class batters during the golden era of Pakistan cricket. Akram was famously known as Sultan of Swing for his ability to move the ball in both directions around the batter.

Playing only his second Test match against New Zealand in 1985, Akram garnered attention for claiming a fifer in each of the innings, finishing with figures of 10/128. He was the first player to record 500 ODI wickets during the 2003 ODI World Cup in Africa. His art of swinging the ball in the air would not just bewilder the batter but leave the viewer in awe with the art of pace bowling.

Wasim Akram the undisputed king of swing

Akram finished his illustrious International career with 916 wickets in Tests and ODIs. The interesting fact is that the left-arm pacer played an international game without the experience of domestic cricket.

Post his International retirement, Akram has turned up for many coaching roles with one of his iconic moments being the one in the IPl. Akram was appointed bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of IPL 2010 and stayed there until IPL 2015.

Former Australian pace bowler Brett Lee, who got the opportunity to work closely with the Pakistan legend, recollected the memory of how the left-arm quick dismissed South African batter Jacques Kallis in a training session.

“I have got arguably the greatest cricketer Jacques Kallis playing for KKR, batting at one end, and we are bowling at the centre wicket. I am saying to my bowling coach standing behind me – just happens to be Wasim Akram,” Lee said on his YouTube Channel Brett Lee TV.

“I am trying really hard to get Kallis out but this guy is going bang bang (Lee gestures with his hand how Kallis is middling everything with the full bat face). I could not get Jacques Kallis out.

“All our bowlers were struggling with a brand new ball on a brand new wicket, and Kallis was making it look so easy,” he added.

Brett Lee demonstrates how Wasim Akram got the better of Jacques Kallis

The former Australian pacer further mentioned how Akram took the challenge to dismiss Kallis with a master-class delivery.

“Akram then says he will have a go. He warms his shoulders up, He had sand shoes on, no spikes. Kallis plays the first ball with a big smile, playing it back. Next ball, same result. Bang. (The full bat-faced defense). The seam is now a fraction straighter and he swings the ball back in. Once again, same result, Jacques Kallis flat bats (it),” Lee said.

“As he walked back, he winked at me, and said ‘watch this!’ He turned the ball over and did that with the seam position (Lee shows how the seam is now pointing towards first slip), and took one away straight. Nick and gone!” And I said, Mate! You are a genius.

Akram is presently serving as the mentor of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Karachi Kings and is also the Vice-President of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL).

Also Read: Wasim Akram Discusses How He Would Have Bowled To Virat Kohli Today