Cricket

Wasim Akram, the legendary Pakistani fast bowler, earned the title "Sultan of Swing" through his unparalleled mastery over the art of swing bowling. His ability to make the cricket ball dance in the air, leaving batsmen bewildered and spectators in awe, made him one of the most feared and respected bowlers in the history of the game.Akram's journey to becoming the Sultan of Swing began on the dusty pitches of Pakistan, where he honed his skills with a raw passion for the game. Unlike many bowlers who rely solely on pace, Akram developed a unique talent for swinging the ball both ways. Whether it was the conventional swing or the more mysterious reverse swing, he could manipulate the ball's movement with precision. This ability to swing the ball late and at high speeds made him nearly unplayable, especially under overcast conditions or with an old ball.What set Wasim apart was not just his technical prowess but his uncanny understanding of the game. He could read the pitch, the weather, and the batsman's mindset, adjusting his bowling accordingly. With the new ball, he would lure batsmen into false strokes by moving the ball away or into them, often with a subtlety that made it hard for even the most experienced players to pick. As the ball aged, he became even more dangerous, employing reverse swing -- a technique where the ball swings in the opposite direction to conventional swing. This made him lethal, especially in the death overs of limited-overs cricket or in the final sessions of a Test match.Akram's career was filled with moments that justify his moniker. One such instance was during the 1992 World Cup final against England. With the stakes at their highest, Akram delivered two consecutive deliveries that swung in opposite directions, dismissing Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis. The deliveries not only changed the course of the match but also etched Akram’s name in cricketing folklore.His influence extended beyond his own performances. Akram became a mentor for a generation of fast bowlers who aspired to master the art of swing. His legacy is seen in the bowling styles of many modern-day pacers who have tried to emulate his control and skill.Akram is called the 'Sultan of Swing' not just because of his technical ability but due to his cricketing intellect, his ability to innovate on the field, and his unmatched consistency in outfoxing batsmen around the world. His mastery over swing bowling remains a benchmark for fast bowlers even today.

Wasim Akram and Shaniera Celebrate 11th Wedding Anniversary with Social Media CreativityLegendary Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram and his wife Shaniera marked their 11th wedding anniversary on August 19th with a touch of humor and heartfelt messages on social media.Shaniera took to the social media platform 'X' to wish her husband in a unique way. She showcased her photoshopping skills by portraying Akram with a bald head and a thick beard. "11 years on, you look as good as the day I met you," she captioned the humorous image.Shaniera, an Australian-born social worker in Pakistan, is Akram's second wife. His first wife, Huma, passed away in 2009.In a heartwarming message, Shaniera expressed her gratitude for Akram's presence in her life. "Thank you for everything you are and everything you give to my life, you are my world and 11 years on you look as good as the day I met you, you haven't changed a bit!" she wrote.Akram, who has 916 international wickets across formats, responded with a heartfelt letter to his wife. "Happy anniversary to the love of my life. With you in my life, I became a better person. You are that gift that keeps on giving, not just to me but to everyone around you. Your positive energy is so infectious it lifts everyone around you and shines wherever you go," he wrote.Shaniera later tweeted a more recent photo of Akram, saying, "Ok ok I'll be nice, here is a more current pic haha! I love you more every day. No matter what look you go for, as long as that smile stays the same. Happy 11 years to us!"Akram and Shaniera met in Melbourne in 2011 and married in 2013. They have one child together, born in 2014.

Wasim Akram and Shaniera Celebrate 11th Wedding Anniversary with Love and HumorFormer Pakistani cricket legend Wasim Akram and his wife Shaniera Akram recently celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary on August 19th, 2024. The couple, known for their active social media presence, marked the occasion with a public declaration of love and appreciation, infused with their characteristic humor.Shaniera initiated the online celebration with a playful jab at her husband. She posted a hilarious, edited image of Wasim Akram on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by a caption that blended lighthearted teasing with genuine affection."Happy anniversary to the love of my life @iamshaniera with you in my life I became better person you are that gift that keeps on giving not just to me but to everyone around you. Your positive energy is so infectious it lifts everyone around you and shines wherever you go. So I thank you and God almighty to have you in my life as my wife, partner and best," Akram wrote.To counterbalance the initial playful trolling, Shaniera later shared a more flattering, recent photograph of Wasim Akram, reiterating her love and emphasizing the importance of his enduring smile."While jokingly commenting on her husband's appearance, she expressed gratitude for his presence in her life and declared him her "world".Wasim Akram, widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history, retired from professional cricket in 2003. He holds numerous records, including being the first bowler to reach 500 wickets in One Day Internationals.The couple's anniversary celebration was met with an outpouring of love and well wishes from fans and fellow cricketers. Many commented on the couple's enduring bond and their ability to find humor in life's moments.

Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, where he claimed 15 wickets and earned the Player of the Tournament award, further cemented his status as a cricketing icon. His unique bowling action has garnered admiration from experts and fans alike.However, a young boy has recently emerged on social media, captivating attention with his uncanny resemblance to Bumrah's bowling style. The boy's video caught the eye of legendary Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram, who shared it with the caption: "Wah jee wah look at that control and action exactly like the great @Jaspritbumrah93 video of the day for me. #crickethavenoboundiers."Bumrah's impact extends beyond T20 cricket, as he has proven equally effective in ODIs and Tests. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja recently hailed Bumrah as a "legend of all three formats," praising his ability to excel in all aspects of the game.Raja's comments resonated with India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, who emphasized the importance of all-format players. "I'm a very strong believer in one thing, that if you're good, you should be playing all the three formats," Gambhir said. "They don't want to stay and they don't want to be labelled as red-ball bowler or white-ball bowler."Bumrah's success has inspired a new generation of cricketers, demonstrating that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. The young boy's emulation of Bumrah's bowling action serves as a testament to the Indian pacer's influence on the sport.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has heaped praise on India's young pace sensation Arshdeep Singh, who emerged as a key figure in India's T20 World Cup triumph. Arshdeep's impressive performance, which saw him finish as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps, has earned him plaudits from the legendary left-arm pacer.Akram believes that Arshdeep has the potential to become a world-class bowler, but he urged the youngster to focus on playing Test cricket to cement his legacy. "If you have to leave a legacy, you have to think about long-format cricket," Akram said. "People should be talking about you even 10-20 years after your retirement that no such bowler came in cricket history."Akram rated Arshdeep's performance in the T20 World Cup as an "8," highlighting his swing, pace, and ability to move the ball both ways. However, he emphasized the importance of Test cricket for Arshdeep's long-term success. "He should be focusing on four-day cricket too because he has swing and pace," Akram added. "I think he has got the potential to be a regular bowler for India. I hope he has Test cricket on his mind."Arshdeep's impressive showing in the T20 World Cup has seen him rise to a career-best No. 13 in the latest T20I rankings. He was also named in the ICC's team of the tournament, alongside fellow Indian players Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah.

Amidst the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, the fate of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy remains uncertain. Legendary Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram has expressed his hopes that India will participate in the tournament, emphasizing its significance for Pakistan's cricketing future.The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. Alongside the hosts, India, Australia, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Afghanistan are expected to compete. However, India's participation is contingent upon the political climate between the two nations.Akram believes that hosting the tournament would be a major boost for cricket in Pakistan. "We have great facilities and are working on new stadiums," he said. "The chairman has started work on the new stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. I believe it will be a great tournament and Pakistan needs that tournament for the betterment of cricket."India has not toured Pakistan for a bilateral series since 2006. The two teams have only faced each other in ICC tournaments since 2013 due to political tensions. According to reports, India is still hesitant to travel to Pakistan, which could result in the tournament being played in a hybrid format.Akram expressed his disappointment over India's reluctance to tour Pakistan. "The whole country is looking forward to receiving all the teams," he said. "The cricket will be great and we will welcome them in splendid fashion."The 2023 Asia Cup, which was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan, was partially relocated to Sri Lanka after the BCCI refused to allow the Indian team to travel to Pakistan. India and Pakistan have not had bilateral tours in cricket since 2012.The BCCI has maintained that the Indian team will only travel to Pakistan if permitted by the central government. The decision ultimately rests with the Indian government, which will consider the political and security implications of the tour.

Former Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has vehemently criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its inconsistent and unstable leadership decisions, particularly the recent removal of Shaheen Afridi as captain after just one series.Akram, in a viral video, expressed his disappointment with the PCB's lack of clarity and stability in leadership roles. He highlighted the abrupt replacement of Babar Azam with Afridi as captain, followed by Afridi's removal after a single series loss."They replaced Babar with Shaheen as Pakistan captain. The latter lost one series and the chairman got changed during that phase. The newcomer asked to change the captain and got it done. This is just not on. People make fun of us in world cricket. They don't get it. If you have made (Shaheen) Afridi the captain, give him a year," Akram said.Akram further lamented that he and other former cricketers are fortunate to be away from Pakistan cricket, as it has become a source of constant criticism and politics. "They don't ask us. It's good that we are away from Pakistan cricket. It is a blessing in disguise because it is just criticism, politics," he added.Akram's comments come in the wake of Pakistan's disappointing performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup, where they were eliminated after losses to the USA and India. Babar Azam had stepped down as captain following Pakistan's poor showing in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup last year.Afridi was appointed as the T20I captain, while Shan Masood took over the red-ball leadership after the ODI World Cup campaign in November. However, Afridi's tenure as captain was short-lived, as Pakistan managed to win only one game in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand.With the appointment of Mohsin Naqvi as the new PCB chairman, Babar Azam was reinstated as the white-ball captain. Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar also questioned the decision to appoint Babar Azam as captain in the first place."Who made Babar Azam captain at first place? Who was the Einstein by the way? I need to know that guy. Did he actually qualify for the job or not? Did he even know a thing or two about captaincy?" remarked Akhtar.

Legendary Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram has launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its chaotic management and poor handling of the national cricket team. Akram's criticism stems from the PCB's recent history of frequent leadership changes and inconsistent decision-making, which he believes has hindered the team's performance.Akram highlighted the fact that the PCB has seen four chairmen in the past year, a period of unprecedented instability. He argued that such frequent changes create an environment of uncertainty and prevent the team from establishing a consistent approach. "How can the team be consistent when they have had four chairmen in one year?" Akram questioned.The former pace great also criticized the PCB's handling of the captaincy issue. After Pakistan's disappointing exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup, Babar Azam was replaced by Shaheen Afridi as captain in T20I cricket. However, Afridi's tenure was short-lived, as he lost a T20I series against New Zealand and was replaced by Azam once again.Akram believes that the PCB should have given Afridi more time to prove himself as captain. "If you have made Afridi the captain, give him a year," he said. "People make fun of us in world cricket. They don't get it."Akram expressed his relief at being disconnected from the PCB, stating that it is a "blessing in disguise" to be away from the "criticism and politics" that surround the organization.

Former Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has hailed India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's remarkable comeback from a severe accident, calling it an inspiration for future generations.Akram, in an interview with Sportskeeda, expressed his admiration for Pant's resilience and determination. "The kind of performance Pant is giving after that accident, he is proving he is a super human," Akram said. "We were all worried in Pakistan [after the accident]. I was worried, actually."Pant's return to form has been nothing short of extraordinary. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he averaged 40 with a strike rate of 155. In the ongoing T20 World Cup, he is the leading run-scorer for Team India, with 96 runs in three innings.Akram also praised Pant's achievements in Test cricket, highlighting his significant innings against Australia and England. "The way he performed in Test cricket, scoring a hundred in Australia and then batting against England, reverse sweeping [James] Anderson and [Pat] Cummins, he is special," Akram said.Beyond his cricketing abilities, Akram believes Pant's story is a powerful example of resilience and mental strength. "Especially what he has been through in that horrific accident and then making a comeback, it shows how mentally strong he is," Akram said. "That's a story to be told for generations to generations to motivate young people of the world."Akram also echoed former India captain Sourav Ganguly's view of Pant as a natural leader. "I agree with Ganguly that Pant is a natural, instinctive captain who takes decisions according to the situation, which is very important in T20 cricket," Akram said. "You can't plan everything in advance, you have to adapt to the situation. That's where I think Pant is good at."Pant's remarkable comeback and his potential as a leader have made him a beacon of hope for Indian cricket. His story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human being and an inspiration for generations to come.