An India-Pakistan match always promises to be a cracker, but there is certainly more spice in the contest when lethal fast bowlers like Wasim Akram are involved.
Akram, who has picked up over 900 wickets in the international arena, has terrorised almost every international during the course of his career.
On his 52nd birthday, The Quint takes a look at Wasim Akram’s top five performances against India.
1. Coca-Cola Cup Final, Sharjah, 1999
As the famous sports saying goes, ‘cometh the hour, cometh the man’. In the final of the Coca-Cola Cup, the fast bowler dismissed Sadagoppan Ramesh and Rahul Dravid for nought, which reduced India to 0/2.
Later, he took Ajit Agarkar’s wicket to wrap up the innings. India were all out for 125 and Pakistan eventually won the match by eight wickets.
2. 4th Test, Sialkot, 1989
Wasim Akram picked up five wickets for 101 runs in the first innings of the fourth Test at Sialkot in 1989. The Lahore lad dismissed both openers – Kris Srikkanth and Navjot Sidhu – early in the innings, which reduced India to 39/2.
Later, when Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev were beginning to string together a threatening partnership, Akram got rid of both batsmen in quick succession, reducing India to 270/7.
Finally, he wrapped up the Indian innings after picking up Maninder Singh’s wicket. India were all out for 324.
3. 3rd ODI, Toronto, 1996
In the third ODI of the Sahara ‘Friendship’ Cup, Akram got Pakistan off to a dream start after picking up Nayan Mongia and Sachin Tendulkar’s wickets early in the innings. India were tottering at 14/2.
Later, he claimed the wickets of Ajay Jadeja and Javagal Srinath. His final figure of 4/35 helped Pakistan bundle India out for a mere 191.
Unfortunately for Akram, the Pakistan batting order collapsed and were all out for 136.
4. 2nd Test, Kolkata, 1987
The Lahore lad picked up five wickets for 96 runs in the first innings of the second Test at Kolkata in 1987. The fast bowler first dismissed two of the four top order batsmen – Kris Srikkanth and Dilip Vengsarkar – which helped Pakistan reduce India to 144/4.
Later, he got Mohammad Azharuddin (out for 141) and the two tail enders, Raju Kulkarni and Maninder Singh. India were all out for 403 runs.
5. 2nd ODI, Kolkata, 1987
In the second ODI at Kolkata in 1987, Akram couldn’t get early wickets but he came back later and broke the partnership between Kris Srikkanth and Mohammad Azharuddin. The duo had added 145 runs to the Indian total.
Kapil Dev also fell to Akram shortly after Srikkanth’s wicket and Pakistan restricted India to 238/6 in the 40-over game. Pakistan eventually won the match by two wickets.
(This story was first published on 3 June, 2016, and has been reposted from The Quint's archives to mark Wasim Akram’s 52nd birthday)
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