He is the highest wicket-taker in World Cups with 55 and was Pakistan's main bowler when they won the tournament in 1992. A true genius, Wasim Akram terrorised the best batsmen in the world with his swing and accuracy and an innate understanding of the game like no other bowler.

Wasim Akram is also one of the players to have played in the most World Cups (five) and it's a record he shares with other greats of his time. For long the spearhead of the Pakistan attack, Wasim lost some pace in his bowling as time went on but none of his accuracy and keen cricketing acumen. He captained Pakistan in the 1996 and 1999 World Cup but both ended in losing affairs.

Wasim Akram is one of the best cricketers from Pakistan and his tutelage began under the great Imran Khan. In fact, it is Imran Khan who is credited with discovering a young Wasim from one of Pakistan's many dusty streets! In his first World Cup at home in 1987, Akram managed only seven wickets as Pakistan lost in the semi-final to Australia. But he had learned his lessons well and in 1992, he was a potent force. Who can forget the burst in the final that got him 3/49 and essentially put paid to any hopes England had of winning the World Cup.

In 1996, in the quarter-final against India, Wasim had to pull out of the match at Bangalore due to a side strain. Pakistan lost the game and Wasim's house had to face a lot of the brunt of the crowd's anger. But Wasim continued to play for Pakistan and almost made up for his absence when he guided his team to the final in 1999.

In 38 appearances for Pakistan in World Cups, Akram has scored 426 runs at almost 20 runs per innings, a useful contribution when one considers that he was also the opening bowler for a long time and the team depended on more for his bowling.

His 55 wickets at 23.83 per wicket are just as good as his other 502 in his career! The most successful bowler in World Cups, Akram may well be overtaken this time by Glenn McGrath, who is just 10 shy of the record, but his place in the overall standings is guaranteed for a long time to come. Although he never scored even a fifty in World Cups, his 43 against the West Indies was a crucial contribution that ensured Pakistan made it through to the next round in 1999.

His World Cup career ended with a disappointing loss to India in Centurion as Pakistan came up against a rampant India who were blowing away just about everyone in their path. That was Pakistan's third loss in the tournament and they had been dumped out of the tournament. A rather ignominious defeat and Akram soon announced his retirement from international cricket.

These days, he can be seen on TV sharing his knowledge with viewers and like with his cricket, his presence on TV is also improving with experience. This is one cricketer you cannot keep away from the game even though his active playing days are behind him.

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