Wasim Akram Names A Very Special Tour Of His Career

Wasim Akram was probably the greatest left-arm seamer to have ever graced the game but also a reasonably excellent captain. With 916 international wickets across Tests and ODIs, Wasim Akram has undeniably etched himself as one of the greatest in the history of the sport. And as part of a conversation with Shane Watson in the show “Lessons learnt with the greats”, he named the Indian tour in 1999 as his most cherished, speaking about it in detail.

Also Read: “My Career, My Choice”: Mohammad Hafeez Slams Ramiz Raja For Asking Him To Retire

The Tests between India and Pakistan becomes sure to attract a massive fan following, and 1999 wasn’t any different. Pakistan visited India to play two Tests in Chennai and Delhi. The tourists won the first by 12 runs, courtesy of twin five-wicket hauls from Saqlain Mushtaq. Mohammad Azharuddin’s men bounced back to emerge victorious in the next by trouncing Pakistan by 212 runs, lead by Anil Kumble’s 16-wicket haul.

Wasim Akram recalled that particular tour by saying that as a captain, it was an ecstatic feeling to lead his nation against India, against whom they were playing after a decade in Tests. The 54-year old remembered receiving a standing ovation from the crowd after winning the Chennai Test due to which it was a special tour for him personally. Wasim Akram wanted to ensure the spectators stay silenced.

“I was a captain on that tour and we were playing Test cricket against India after a gap of 10 years. In the first Test at Chennai, I told the team that if the stadium is quiet – it means we are doing our job. We won that Test and for the first time in the history of India-Pakistan clashes, we got a standing ovation from the Chennai crowd. It was something phenomenal and that tour will always be a special one for me.” Akram said as quoted by Times of India.

Once you perform against India, you get recognized in Pakistan: Wasim Akram

The former Pakistan captain went on to admit that performances against India get special recognition for Pakistan players. Nevertheless, Wasim acknowledges that times have changed drastically than the 90s and that the Indian team hold the upper hand over them.

“Once you always perform against India, you get recognized in Pakistan. I am sure that the same is the case for Indian players as well. In the 90s, we won a lot against India, but nowadays it’s a very different story and tables have turned.” he added.

Also Read: Skilled Bowlers Will Always Find A Way To Take Wickets: Laxman Sivaramakrishnan On Saliva Ban