A tribute to Wasim Akram (Merged)

Entertainment Cricket and Other Sports
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This thread is as a tribute to Wasim Akram. His contributions to Pakistan's cricket are enormous and we should be highlighting those and thanking this great legend for what he has done for Pakistan's cricket and the fame he has brought to his country rather than focusing on a few unproved and unfounded negaitives.

Why do we have to be so negative all the time?

Be positive and think positive.

Lets give this great man a big and deserving send off and hope he acheive the target of 500 wickets before the tournament finishes.

** Remember those 491 odd wickets he has taken were for Pakistan and not for bookies**.

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It would be a gd idea sending a tribute from several of his fans to him. Wasim Akram has no doubt been a master cricketer and one who shall be remembered for many a years. Its a shame he's had a mixed bag of glory and humiliation in his career. The "fixing" issue has really hurt his reputation, and I think rightly so.

But nothing shd be taken away from a man, whose been a megastar on the field for Pakistan for 2 decades. The ease with which he's troubled batsmen is incredible and extremely pleasurable to the eyes. His short run-ups that extract so much pace, his inswinging yorkers, his venemous bouncers, his outsanding slower-balls are a beautiful display of the variety the man has got in his bowling. There have been so many overs that I've seen him bowl 6 different deliveries. When you ask most batsmen around the world, who is the toughest bowler they've ever played against, most of them go for Wasim Akram.

He's also had some memorable batting performances. I remember the 256 not out he scored in a test match against Zimbabwe, hitting a record number of sixes. Man, what an innings! And how 'bout the 30 odd he scored in the WC 92 final, which was pretty much the difference between the two teams' totals. These are just few of the many memorable innings he's played. He could've been a better allrounder if it was not for his complacence in his batting and his antiques off the field!

But all in all, he's been a wonderful cricketer whose graced the game of cricket. He's one of the greatest cricketer of all times, easily the best southpawed bowler ever, and the best bowler Pakistan has ever produced. Wasim, you rock!

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Also had the honour of meeting him as a kid. This was around 7-8 yrs back.

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ak, which one of them is you?

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After all that match-fixing drama I found it harder to keep faith in Akram. Each and every action of his seemed fake to me. Those amateur-like celebrations after taking a wicket, as if trying to get his innocence and dedication known; frequent injuries, especially in crunch matches; his unpopularity amongst his own team mates and his recent attempt to regain the captaincy, he just gets on my nerve.

But this tribute by Sambrialian has really moved me. And I think Asif_k is right, if he has really been that bad a boy, I guess his contributions to Pakistan Cricket really compensates more than enough for it.

Wasim Akram's retirement will mark an end to an era, he certainly is a legend.....

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Hez Great!
hope that he will complete his 500 in the world cup Inshallah
:jhanda:

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*(http://www.cricketworldcup.com/interviews/interviews006.htm)

Tell Wasim Akram he is like a fine wine, getting better with age and he just smiles back. Indeed, he is the greatest left-arm fast bowler ever, and his 900 international wickets are a staggering piece of statistic. In the twilight of his career, the 36-year-old looks back without regrets, although cricket has certainly claimed its pound of flesh.

A natural athlete, Akram now suffers from diabetes as a result of all the worries of the past, but he says it’s all worth it because cricket is his life. However, he is clear in his mind that the forthcoming World Cup will be his last hurrah in international cricket and he wants to make it a memorable one. Excerpts from an interview

On the 2003 World Cup…

It will be my final outing in international cricket. I want to make it a memorable one for Pakistan and myself. There would be no better way of going out. I played my part in our 1992 World Cup triumph, that was one of the greatest moments of my life and I badly want to repeat the act.

On Pakistan’s chances in the World Cup…

Look, you can never count us out. Yes, we are inconsistent, but if you look at our 50-year-old cricket history, you will see we were always inconsistent. We are exciting, and we can beat anyone on our day… the whole world knows it. So you can never count the Pakistanis out.

On his bowling, which is as good as ever at 36…

(Laughs) Old wine, did you say! Well, I just want to enjoy my game, my bowling, go out there and do my best. I am really enjoying myself and things have fallen into place. Nothing special, just same old things that I was doing with the ball (laughs).

On his motivation…

Playing for my country is my greatest motivation. I think when I put on my country’s cap, that’s it. I don’t need any other motivation to go out and do my best.

On his future…

No yet decided. What I know is I will laze around a lot after retirement, and play a lot with my young kids. I just adore my kids and I want to be a part of their growing up.*

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i FINALLY read Sambrialian's comments carefully just now, what a loss i did not do so earlier. It reads like a piece of art.
Great writing yaar. Thanks so much for sharing it here.

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That is quite possibly the best piece of short writing I've ever read, mainly because it is so emotionally capturing and about a man that no one can help but admire. Thank you, Sambralian Bahi.

While I might not be the biggest cricket fan, I do realize the greatness of this one stupendous man. He is quite possibly the best thing to happen to international cricket, especially first-class bowling, in quite a while. I hope that he will retire peacefully and knowing that he has broken an unsurmountable record for doing so many great deeds. It is being said that cricket in Pakistan is declining and after a (in highset probability) victorious exit of bowling's great one, it will. Cricket will certainly miss Wasim, and many will cry for the loss.

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And the rep keeps growing. Three of the Aussies finest batsmen knocked over in fine opening spell today, and top scored with the bat as well. Shame it was all for nothing.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
And the rep keeps growing. Three of the Aussies finest batsmen knocked over in fine opening spell today, and top scored with the bat as well. Shame it was all for nothing.
[/QUOTE]

Not only that he scored a rapid 33 and brought some respectability to the score.

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Of course, being rated as one of the best looking cricketters is also an honour. :D

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7 more wickets till 500, do you guys he will be able to reach that landmark against Namibia.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Spock: *
ak, which one of them is you?
[/QUOTE]

lakers shirt

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by UMAIR316: *
7 more wickets till 500, do you guys he will be able to reach that landmark against Namibia.
[/QUOTE]

No.... there are other bolwers in team also.

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Yeah there are 10 wickets to be taken, and Wasim is one of those bowlers who can expect to take 7 wickets in a match.

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A TriBuTE to Wasim Akram

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he could have been a all time great much more than what he is now had he not indulged in match fixing

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by kabir: *
he could have been a all time great much more than what he is now had he not indulged in match fixing
[/QUOTE]

He is already alltime great, match fixing has ruined his reputation off the field but he is still the greatest on the field.