Pakistan, a Country that is undoubtedly God Gifted when it comes to producing Natural and Quality Fast bowlers. Ever since the team has started playing International Cricket it has been blessed with Fast bowlers
that have attained high levels of success and recognition around the world wide. As a 22 year old, I have been very proud of the quality fast bowlers I have seen bowling for Pakistan. Following the sport since 1998, I have been amazed by the left arm magician Wasim Akram, the man that has made even the greats of the game speak words of generous applause about him. Michael Holding rates him as the "Best Ever Left Arm Fast Bowler" to play the game. Former Australian World Cup winning Captain Alan Border wants to be born again as Wasim Akram and rightly so, Wasim Akram has done wonderful things for Pakistani Cricket. His Allround performances in the 1992 World Cup played a main role in Pakistan winning that tournament. Through out the 1990's Wasim Akram was at his prime best and produced some magical deliveries that are still remembered and praised by those who appreciate quality cricket. His great times continued as he led a very talented bunch of players into the final of the 1999 World Cup in the U.K. Unfortunately Pakistan lost the final, however Akram's men dominated that World Cup, so much so that the 1999 World Cup team was considered as one of the best Pakistani team to ever play. Akram went onto become the first bowler in the history to pick up 400 and 500 ODI wickets, the tournament in which he achieved this feat the 2003 ICC World Cup, was the last time Akram played internationally and retired after serving 19 quality years for Pakistan at the international level.
Wasim was a part of a deadly bowling duo, that was termed as the Two W's. Where Wasim was one W in that pair, Waqar Younis was the other W. Being highly rated by Legendary Pakistani Captain Imran Khan , Waqar was a true demonstration of what a fast bowler is. Smooth run, aiming at the base of the middle stump while running in, and a slinging action that produced a curling in swinging yorker, Waqar was a bowler that afraid many of the best batsmen around at that time. Waqar and Wasim had formed a very devastating bowling combination. Both of them had some sort of professional rivalry between them. However that rivalry was very effective and beneficial for Pakistani cricket and at the same time a night mare for oppostion batsmen. Waqar along with Wasim, bowled Pakistan to many victories, including memorable wins at Sharjah, England, Australia and Newzealand.
Waqar Younis had some fitness issues in the middle stages of his career that cut down some efficient years of his career. However still the Cricket he played was quality and his performances against England in England were top notch where he exhibited some breath taking fast bowling, giving tough times to the likes of Graeme Hick, Nasser Husain, Alec Stewart and Graham Thorpe. He also captained the Pakistani team that toured England in 2001 and won the 2 match Test series 1-0, since then Pakistan is yet to win a test series in England. Just like Wasim, Waqar also called it an end after the 2003 World Cup, where under his leadership Pakistan had a disasterous campaign and were knocked out in the first round, following defeats at the hands of Australia, England and India.
The time during which the two W's were at their ravishing best, hardly any other fast bowler could grab a spot in the Pakistani team, likes of Shahid Nazir, Mohammad Zahid, Fazl-e-Akbar were all good bowlers but they could not fit in just because Wasim and Waqar were too good. However there was one man that not only got a chance to play in presence of those two and he also maintained his place in the team, and that man was Shoaib Akhtar.
Having burst into the international scene with a reputation of being a "Bad Boy", Akhtar lived upto his reputation. He had many controversial moments through out his career. However it is his Super Fast Bowling that gave him the success and fame around the world. Cleaning up Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar on successive deliveries at the Eden Gardens Calcutta, Bowling the fastest ball in the history of the game at 100 miles per hour, making a bunny out of Saurav Ganguly and troubling Batters of the class of Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Rick Ponting, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh and many more, Akhtar was balancing his controversial plus impressive cricketing life very well. Akhtar was revelation for Pakistan during the 1999 World Cup where his bowling was at its quickest best. His memorable bowling against the Kiwis in the semi final was a very impressive performance which ensured a Pakistani win. He continued to get better, his bowling got more threatning, however his fitness and disciplinary issues were his biggest enemies and he faced numerous fines and bans. He was also quite frequently left out of the team for the vary reasons. Akhtar was in the Pakistani squad that played the 2011 World Cup, his performances in the initial matches was pretty good, however the only bad game Pakistan has in that tournament against Newzealand and Shoaib Akhtar was unlucky in that game. Kamran Akmal dropped Ross Taylor's catch off the bowling of Akhtar and Taylor later went on to make the Pakistani team pay heavily for that let off. He took the Pakistani bowlers to the cleaners and in particular Akhtar. It was a bad game for the entire team. And the very next day Akhtar announced his retirement from international cricket. Another Hero of Pakistani cricket did not recieved the deserved farewell.
Post retirement, Wasim Akram became a cricket commentator, Waqar Younis took coaching responsibility of the Pakistani team and after his resignation, he too joined the commentary box. And Shoaib Akhtar also shares his Expert Opinions on a T.v channel in Pakistan.
I loved watching these guys bowl, and now when i see them sharing analysis on the game that they ruled in, I wish I could see them bowl again.
GeoSuper