Wasim Akram's emergence in international cricket in the late 1980s and early 1990s was nothing short of revolutionary. His left-arm seam bowling, complemented by an unorthodox arm action, brought comparisons to Australia’s legendary all-rounder Alan Davidson, who had mesmerized opponents with his precision in the 1950s and 1960s. Akram, however, took these comparisons to another level, with a mastery of swing and pace that made him an enigma for batsmen worldwide.
In his early years, Akram was often a one-man army, capable of defeating batsmen both in the air and off the wicket. Yet, it was in the company of fellow fast bowler Waqar Younis, with whom he formed an iconic partnership in the latter stages of his career, that Akram truly came into his own. Their combined menace made them one of the most feared bowling attacks in cricket history, but Akram's individual brilliance remained the highlight. His ability to swing the ball late, both into and away from the batsmen, and his impeccable control over pace made him a bowler unlike any other.
One moment, however, defined Akram's legacy for eternity—the 1992 World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Pakistan’s campaign had been a roller-coaster of emotions, and at one point, their chances of making it past the group stage seemed slim. With losses to the West Indies, India, and South Africa, and a lacklustre performance in their rain-affected match against England, Pakistan's fate appeared sealed. However, in cricket, as in life, things can change in an instant.
Akram’s performances in the group stages, where he bowled with controlled aggression despite the team's setbacks, were prophetic. His brilliance in the New Zealand match, where he dismantled the Black Caps with a spell of 4 for 32, reignited Pakistan’s belief. This was a performance that crystallized in the mind of Imran Khan, who, sensing a shift in momentum, began to believe that the World Cup could be won. The journey, which had begun with despondency, now surged towards a golden climax.
In the final, with the weight of the occasion bearing down on him, Akram's moment arrived. When he was handed the ball in the 34th over, the match was delicately poised. England, at 69 for 4, had found some resolve through Allan Lamb and Neil Fairbrother, who had added 72 runs at a rapid rate. Pakistan’s hopes hung by a thread. This was a moment of crisis and a moment that demanded greatness.
Akram’s first ball to Lamb was a masterpiece of reverse swing. Bowling round the wicket, Akram’s delivery was pitched just short of a length, swinging in late at a searing pace. Lamb, caught between two decisions—whether to step back or move forward—was ultimately left helpless as the ball held its line after pitching. With impeccable timing, it thudded into the off stump, sending Lamb back to the pavilion in disbelief.
Chris Lewis, the next batsman, could hardly have anticipated the perfection that followed. Akram, ever the master of his craft, pitched it fuller, coaxing the ball to swing majestically through the air. Lewis, uncertain whether to play or leave, decided to play and, in doing so, failed to adjust in time. The ball clipped the inside edge of his bat and shattered the stumps. Two unplayable deliveries. A hat-trick on the horizon. The crowd at the MCG, numbering over 87,000, had witnessed pure cricketing artistry.
"Those two deliveries were unplayable," remarked Aaqib Javed, and in these words, the cricketing world recognized the sheer magic Akram had conjured. His spell not only tilted the final decisively in Pakistan’s favour but also became etched in the memory of all who witnessed it. It was reverse swing at its finest, a masterclass in seam bowling that has not been rivalled since.
Yet, not just his bowling defined Akram’s contribution in the final. His unbeaten 33 off 18 balls helped Pakistan post a competitive total of 249, a performance that also had a crucial impact on the game. As Akram reflected on his performance, he said, "This is the best moment of my life," encapsulating the sheer significance of that World Cup win—not just for him but for an entire nation.
“Those two deliveries were totally planned. It was always the plan to come around the wicket to Allan Lamb and bowl outswing, because he never faced me in county cricket when it was reverse swinging, he usually batted No.3 or No.4. He must have thought, ‘Left-arm, round the wicket, going away? I don’t think so…’ It started on middle stump and went away from him against the angle. That ball was absolutely one of the top five balls I ever bowled. When Chris Lewis came out to bat, I was about to bowl a yorker. But Imran said he will be expecting a yorker, an outswing full-length ball, so just bowl an inswing length ball, and that’s exactly what I did. The right pace, the right swing, a little bit of inside edge onto his stumps. At that moment I didn’t realise what we’d done. But after about a week in Pakistan, we realised that we had really done something,” said Wasim Akram later on.
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The two deliveries to Lamb and Lewis remain some of the most iconic moments in cricket. They were more than just wickets; they were symbols of Akram’s genius, mastery over the ball, and ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most. These moments deserve a place in the museum of cricketing memory, not just as a reminder of Akram’s brilliance, but as an enduring testament to the beauty and unpredictability of the game itself.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
