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The fifth ODI between Pakistan and South Africa was dedicated to Wasim Akram who retired just after the World Cup. A moment to rejoice for the oppositions all over the world and the way Proteas easily beat Pakistan one could see how Pakistan missed Wasim. But things aren’t forever and as all good things must come to an end, Wasim has finally called it a day. Here’s a piece that I wrote earlier in tribute to the Big W, God’s own left arm.
“First of all, convince yourself that you are the best because the rest of your life is gonna go proving this to others” -Wasim Akram, in a T.V commercial. One thing Wasim has shown us in his 19 year long career is he enacts what he says. The tremendous confidence he had as a young boy of 18 when some more ordinary guy would be nervous participating in a school debate would make even greatest of champions envious of him. He damn sure knew he was the best and boy, has he proved this to the whole world! Yes he has and in fact, he has done this in a manner that the best of the batsmen in the world fear him. But there’s good news for some new batsmen, the Sultan of Swing has finally decided to retire from international cricket. This would mean batters need not worry about a lanky fast bowler whose run up was a mere 10-15 steps but who could bowl fast, swinging toe crushing yorkers that could render even the best of batsmen mere spectators. And they also need not worry about the late swinging deliveries to which the umpires couldn’t resist raising the finger indicative of an LBW. (29% of his wickets include LBWs!). And bowlers over the world can save themselves blushes, the kind when the very same man got stuck into them and hit them a mile. (Ask Zimbabweans whom he hit for a record number of sixes in his 257 run knock!)
Time
and again, I have seen teams fighting back against a Pakistan bowling attack
after early setbacks requiring just about one and a half run per ball in the
last few overs. But that’s where the party ends-because then the ball is thrown
to Wasim and the whole world knows how desperately impossible it is to score at
more than a run a ball when Wasim is bowling at the death. Arguably the best
bowler at death, his straight late swinging yorkers are responsible for the
shortening of most tails all over the world. And who said that with the advent
of helmets and protective equipment, tailenders will be able to contribute
more? At least not against a Wasim led Pak attack.
They
say that with age, flair gives way to simplicity; exuberance gives way to soberness
and childhood gives way to wisdom that comes with the realization that you have
grown old. Flamboyance and age happen to share a negative correlation, but not
with Wasim. You have seen him around for about 19 years now, he must be old. He
needs insulin everyday, a severe diabetic, he must be really old. And yet, when
you watch him take his n hundred and nth wicket, the childish joy on his face
makes you believe he is a young debutant who has just taken his first wicket.
That’s Wasim Akram for you. Even at the fag end of his career in World Cup
2003, one cannot forget his consecutive deliveries to get Hayden and Martyn.
And who could say he is a 37 year old?
Talk of Wasim and the mind inevitably goes back to World Cup 1992 finals-
England cruising towards a victory and all of a sudden Wasim produces two
unplayable balls to dismiss Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis in succession. That was
when he was at his vintage best. And that he could produce such deliveries
consistently when his team desperately needed those is the factor that sets him
aside. What’s similar in Steve Wuagh, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and Wasim
Akram? We all come to expect the unexpected with them. Hand Wasim the ball when
nothing is happening for you and he will bring some magic.
Waseem Akram
Waseem Akram
Waseem Akram
Waseem Akram
Waseem Akram
Waseem Akram
Waseem Akram
Waseem Akram
Waseem Akram
Waseem Akram
Waseem Akram
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