Wasim Akram: Career Profile, Records, Stats and Honours of the Sultan of Swing
Wasim Akram, the left-arm fast bowler known as the “Sultan of Swing”, was among India’s rising searches on 24 September 2026. We could not identify a single verified news event behind the spike, so this page is a complete career profile rather than a news report. It covers his numbers, records and honours.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 June 1966, Lahore, Pakistan |
| Role | Left-arm fast bowler, useful lower-order batter |
| Nickname | Sultan of Swing |
| ODI debut | 23 November 1984, against New Zealand |
| Test debut | 25 January 1985, against New Zealand |
| International career | 1984 to 2003 |
Career numbers
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Bowling average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 104 | 414 | 23.62 |
| ODIs | 356 | 502 | 23.52 |
- 414 Test wickets, the most by a Pakistani bowler, including 25 five-wicket hauls.
- 502 ODI wickets. In 2003 he became the first bowler to take 500 ODI wickets, and only Muttiah Muralitharan has more in the format.
- 70 five-wicket hauls in first-class cricket.
- Four international hat-tricks.
Highlights
- 1992 World Cup: a member of Pakistan’s winning team.
- 1999 World Cup: captained Pakistan to the final.
- World Cup wickets: 55 wickets in 38 matches, a record at the time he retired.
- Reverse swing: widely regarded as a master of the art, and a hugely influential figure for fast bowlers.
With the bat
Wasim was more than a tail-ender. He scored 2,898 Test runs at an average of 22.64. In 1996 he made 257 not out against Zimbabwe, the highest score by a number-eight batter in Tests, and hit a record 12 sixes in that single innings.
Honours
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year, 1993.
- Inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in September 2009.
- Named in Wisden’s all-time Test World XI in 2013.
- Hilal-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honours, in 2019.
After retirement
Since retiring he has worked as a television commentator and analyst, and as a bowling coach and mentor in franchise cricket, including a stint with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and roles with Islamabad United and Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League. Many young fast bowlers across South Asia cite him as an inspiration.
Frequently asked questions
How many wickets did Wasim Akram take in international cricket?
A total of 916: 414 in Tests and 502 in ODIs.
Why is he called the Sultan of Swing?
For his ability to swing the ball both ways at high pace, both with the new ball and with reverse swing when the ball was old.
