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Few bowlers in cricket history have enjoyed the aura and dominance that Wasim Akram carried throughout his illustrious career. Known as the ‘Sultan of Swing’ Akram terrorized batters across generations with his late movement, fiery pace, and unerring accuracy. With more than 900 international wickets, he is widely regarded as the greatest left-arm fast bowler the game has ever seen.
During his playing days, Akram bowled to some of the finest batting talents in world cricket. From destructive stroke makers to technical masters, he faced opponents who tested his skills and mental strength in every format. Having experienced those battles first-hand, Akram recently opened up on the Stick to Cricket podcast and revealed the five batters he considers the best he ever saw.
Wasim Akram’s picks – the five finest batters
While many batters made life tough for him, Akram reckoned that certain names stood out for their ability to dominate, innovate, and rise to the occasion when it mattered most. His list includes two players from West Indies and one each from India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
Sir Vivian Richards – Fearless and explosive
The West Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards tops Akram’s list. Known as one of the most intimidating batters ever, Richards often dismantled the best bowling attacks with sheer power and swagger. He never wore a helmet against the quickest bowlers of his time, scoring 8,540 Test runs and 6,721 ODI runs in an era dominated by fearsome fast bowlers.
Martin Crowe – The Kiwi technician
New Zealand’s Martin Crowe impressed Akram with his exceptional technique and elegance at the crease. A true craftsman of batting, Crowe played a key role in lifting Kiwi cricket during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He accumulated 5,444 Test runs and more than 4,700 ODI runs, with his captaincy in the 1992 World Cup still remembered fondly.
Brian Lara – The Prince of Port of Spain
Akram also picked Brian Lara, the West Indian genius famous for rewriting batting records. His monumental knocks of 375 and 400 not out remain etched in Test history. With 11,953 runs in Tests and 10,405 in ODIs, Lara’s stroke play — particularly his trademark cover drive — made him a nightmare for bowlers across formats.
Sachin Tendulkar – The God of Cricket
India’s Sachin Tendulkar naturally found a place in Akram’s list. The master blaster carried the hopes of an entire nation for over two decades and is the only cricketer with 100 international centuries. Tendulkar’s adaptability and consistency brought him 34,000-plus international runs, cementing his place as one of the greatest of all time.
Aravinda de Silva – Sri Lanka’s match-winner
The final name in Akram’s five is Aravinda de Silva, Sri Lanka’s batting giant of the 1990s. His brilliant knock of 107 in the 1996 World Cup final* secured his country its maiden world title. With more than 15,000 international runs, de Silva was hailed for his ability to anchor an innings as well as finish matches under pressure.
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