Wasim Akram Narrates Sledging Incident Against Australia Involving Pakistan 'Star'

Former Pakistan pace bowler Wasim Akram shared a funny sledging incident from his playing days for Pakistan against Australia during the 1996-97 tri-nation series, which also included West Indies.

Akram was leading Pakistan for that particular series and the legendary pace bowler remembered how Australian players Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath used cuss words against his batting partner, who didn’t understand English at that time.

Wasim Akram’s hilarious remark on Australians abusing his teammate

“One time, our great batsman was batting in Sydney. He was batting on 100 and I was batting with him. So, then I saw Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne were abusing him in that Australian accent. I can’t say it on live TV. I told my partner ‘Listen, you know what they are saying, right?’ He said ‘Paaji, I can’t understand a thing they’re saying’.

“Later, I told the Australians, guys, if you are going to abuse anyone, make sure you do in a language that the person understands,” Akram said on the ‘To Be Honest’ show on  ‘Nashpati Prime’ YouTube channel.

I played a pretty top-quality cricket throughout: Wasim Akram

Pakistan eventually went on to lift the tri-nation Cup as they thumped West Indies 2-0 in the finals. Akram finished with 15 wickets in that series, the most by a Pakistan bowler, and third overall. Warne was the leading wicket-taker with 19 scalps in eight matches.

Akram picked 916 wickets in Tests and ODIs in 460 matches in the two oldest formats of cricket. He was one of those unique talented players who made his international debut without playing a first-class match.

Playing only his second Test match against New Zealand in 1985, Akram garnered attention for claiming a fifer in each of the innings. 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 his skill set.

“As a fast bowler, I was always very confident. I have been smashed too, by Viv Richards, Adam Gilchrist, Sachin Tendulkar on his day, Brian Lara on his day, Ricky Ponting… but I never backed down. I played a pretty top quality of cricket throughout,” Akram said.

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