Most Wickets in ODI Cricket: Wasim 2nd Highest Wicket Taker
There is a name that echoes in our minds whenever we talk about fast bowling in cricket, and that is none other than the respected Wasim Akram. He is also known as the Sultan of Swing, because Akram stands tall among the greatest bowlers the history of cricket has ever seen. In the history of One Day Internationals (ODIs), he is celebrated not only for his impressive ball play but also for being the second highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket with 502 wickets in 356 matches.
This record alone stands next to extraordinary, but Akram’s story is much more than numbers. It is about giving Pakistan cricket a legend who could win matches from nowhere.
The Birth of a Fast-Bowling Genius
Wasim Akram burst onto the international scene in 1984, but it was almost by accident. Do you know why? He didn’t come through a structured academy system, rather, he was discovered in the nets by Pakistan great Javed Miandad. And within months, Akram was wearing the green jersey and making the best batsmen sweat with his raw pace and ability to swing the ball in both ways.
From the very beginning, Akram always stood out. Well, why wouldn’t he, as Akram was tall, athletic, and had the natural gift of making the ball talk. Unlike many fast bowlers of his time, he could move the ball late, which made him nearly impossible for batters to handle.
A Journey of 502 ODI Wickets
Wasim Akram’s ODI career spanned almost two decades, from 1984 to 2003. In that time, he transformed himself from a fiery young quick to a seasoned match-winner who could outsmart any batsman in the world.
- Early Years (1984-1990): Akram started his journey with raw pace, before he came to be known as the fastest bowler. Still he managed to quickly build a reputation for destroying batting lineups, especially if he is using a new ball.
- World Cup Glory (1992): The 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand still remains his best point because that tournament helped him in making his name in cricket history forever.
- Peak Years (1992–1999): This was Akram at his absolute best. He combined pace, accuracy, swing, and reverse swing, making him a nightmare in the death overs. He picked up wickets against the best out of best teams consistently.
- Final Years (2000–2003): Even in the twilight of his career, Akram remained a wicket-taking force. He then finally achieved the milestone of 500 ODI wickets in the World Cup of 2003,and became the first bowler who has ever done that.
The Magic of Swing
What separated Wasim Akram from the rest was his command over swing bowling. He didn’t just swing the ball at his pace but rather he practiced it enough to become the master of reverse swing. With an old ball, he could make the ball tail in sharply or move away late, often leaving batsmen clueless.
Many experts, including Sunil Gavaskar and Michael Holding, regard him as the finest exponent of swing bowling the game has ever produced.
Record-Breaking Numbers
Here’s a look at Akram’s astonishing ODI record:
- Matches: 356
- Wickets: 502
- Best Bowling Figures: 5/15 against Zimbabwe in 1993
- Bowling Average: 23.52
- Economy Rate: 3.89
- Five-wicket hauls: 6
To stand at 502 wickets, and that too in an era dominated by great batsmen, shows the greatness of Akram.
The 1992 World Cup Heroics
It will be an incomplete story about Wasim if we don’t end up mentioning the 1992 World Cup where Pakistan played its final at Melbourne. England looked strong in the chase when Akram produced two of the most iconic deliveries in cricket history.
- The first one swung away late to dismiss Allan Lamb.
- The second, an unplayable in-swinger, sent Chris Lewis’s stumps flying.
Those two deliveries broke England’s resistance and handed Pakistan their most memorable cricketing triumph. For his performance for the whole tournament, Akram gained Man of the Match award thus, becoming a national hero.
Rivalries and Iconic Battles
Akram thrived on challenges. Whether it was bowling to Sachin Tendulkar in high-pressure India-Pakistan matches, troubling Brian Lara with sharp swing, or dismissing Australian greats like Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh, he lived for the contest.
His rivalry with Indian batting lineups in the 1990s created unforgettable cricketing memories. Every India-Pakistan match became a stage where Akram showcased his brilliance.
Beyond Bowling – A Handy Batsman
In ODIs, he scored over 3,700 runs, including a memorable innings of 86 against Australia in 1990 that helped Pakistan snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
His batting often provided crucial runs down the order, making him one of the finest bowling all-rounders in ODI history.
Related Article:
- Most Wickets in Test Cricket: Muralitharan Highest Wicket Taker
- Most Wickets in T20I Cricket: Tim Southee – The Highest Wicket-Taker
Leadership and Legacy
Akram also captained Pakistan, leading the side in two World Cups (1996 and 1999). Under his captaincy, Pakistan reached the 1999 World Cup final, though they lost to Australia. Despite the troubles and hurdles, Akram always made sure to lead from the front and keep his teammates inspired till the end.
His influence went beyond Pakistan. Young bowlers around the world tried to copy his style, his wrist position, and his mastery over swing. Today, legends like Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee openly acknowledge that they admired and learned from Akram.
Why Akram’s Record Still Stands Out
Wasim Akram was the first ever bowler in the old days who was known to pass the 500 ODI wickets, and even though Murli of Sri Lanks later became the bowler with higher wickets (800 wickets), Akram still remains as one of the highest wicket-taking fast bowlers when it comes to ODIs.
In an era when pitches favored batsmen, Akram’s ability to strike regularly, keep the run rate down, and dominate in big matches set him apart. His record isn’t just about wickets but it surely was about the way he changed matches with a single spell.
Conclusion
Wasim Akram’s name will forever be etched in cricketing history as the Sultan of Swing and the second highest wicket-taker in ODIs. His 502 wickets symbolize brilliance, consistency, and an unmatched gift for swing bowling.
He wasn’t just a cricketer; he was an artist with the ball, a game-changer in pressure situations, and an inspiration for generations of fast bowlers.
Records may eventually be broken, but the aura and impact of Wasim Akram will never fade. For cricket fans, he remains not only one of Pakistan’s greatest heroes but also one of the finest bowlers the world has ever seen.
