1992 World Cup winners, 2009 ICC T20 World Cup winners, and 2017 ICC Champions Trophy winners. Yes, we are talking about India’s neighboring team, the Pakistan cricket team. Pakistan was always one of the toughest competitors in the history of cricket. In earlier times or modern times, many people who were children earlier now become parents, but the childish craziness of watching an India vs. Pakistan match will always be a true emotion for cricket fans. One of the major reasons for their bounceback was Pakistan’s fast-bowling unit. Pakistani players are always known for their long height, long hair, open chest, and aggressive pacers. Pakistan pacers were always regarded as tough competition for all other cricket teams; their fast bounce and swing bowling were not a cup of tea to play. Here, in this article, let’s see the top 10 greatest Pakistani Fast Bowlers of all time.
Top 10 Greatest Pakistani Fast Bowlers of all time
1). Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram is one of the greatest players and legend of the Pakistan cricket team. He is a cricket commentator, coach, and former captain of the Pakistan cricket team. Akram is also regarded as the sultan of the swing. He is among the ones who are regarded as the founders of reverse swing bowling. As a captain, Wasim led Pakistan to the 1999 Cricket World Cup. He was the first bowler to take 500 ODI wickets and only the 2nd most ODI wicket-taker till date. He has taken 414 test wickets, 502 ODI wickets, and 1042 first-class wickets, which are unbelievable numbers in themselves. He was acknowledged as one of the greatest Pakistani fast bowlers of all time. Also Read: BCCI Net Worth and Annual Income in 2024
2). Imran Khan
The 22nd prime minister of Pakistan and the legendary bowler and World Cup-winning captain of Pakistan. Yes, we are talking about Imran Khan. Khan made his debut at the age of 16. He made his test cricket debut against England. Khan was not only good with the bowl but was also a key all-rounder for the Pakistan cricket team; he secured 3000 runs and 300 wickets in just 75 test matches. Khan’s high time as a captain and cricketer came when he led Pakistan to win the 1992 Cricket World Cup. He is the only world-cup-winning captain of Pakistan. In his career, he has taken 362 test wickets, 6 test centuries, 182 ODI wickets, and 1287 first-class wickets.
3). Waqar Younis
The youngest bowler to take 400 wickets in ODI cricket, the youngest Pakistani test captain, the Burevala express of the Pakistani team, and the great Waqar Younis. He is one of the greatest fast bowlers in Pakistan. His duo with Wasim Akram was one of the most feared duos among the batters. Waqar does not only focus on the fast pace but also the line and length of the bowl. His quality reverse swing bowl was a nightmare for batters throughout the world. His talent was spotted by Imran Khan, who led him to the national team of his country. The Burewala Express has taken 373 test wickets, including five 10-wicket hauls, 416 ODI wickets, and 956 first-class wickets in his career.
4). Shoaib Akhtar
The Rawalpindi Express has left the station! expert of fast bowling and expert in controversies, Shoaib Akhtar is the fastest bowler in cricket history ever recorded with a 161.3 kmph delivery. Shoaib made his test debut in 1997 as an opening fast bowler. He was also involved in many controversies, such as doping, ball tempering, abusing opposition players, etc. His aggressive nature with fast bowling was not something that could be handled easily by any batsman. One of his top performances was in the 1999 Asian Test Championship match in Calcutta, where he took eight wickets against India and bowled off Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in successive deliveries. It was the first time he ever bowled to Sachin Tendulkar and took off his wicket. Akhtar has taken 178 test wickets, 247 ODI wickets, and 19 T20 wickets in his career. Also Read: BBL Net Worth and Annual Income in 2024
5). Sarfraz Nawaz
The 6’6 foot tall height with broad shoulders and a medium-paced bowl with good action led Sarfraz Ahmed to become one of the greatest Pakistani Fast bowlers of the Pakistani team. He used to deliver a reverse-swing bowl when nobody knew about it. His most significant performance came against Australia in Melbourne. When Australia was playing at 305/3, nobody could imagine what was going to happen next. Sarfraz took seven wickets for the Australian team in just 33 deliveries and led Pakistan to a surprise victory against Australia with 71 runs. Sarfraz has taken 177 test wickets, 63 ODI wickets, and 1005 first-class wickets.
6). Fazal Mahmood
Fazal Mahmood was one of the pioneers of the Pakistan cricket team. He was the first Pakistani to reach 100 test wickets in just 22 test matches. He started his earlier career playing for northern India, but due to the separation of the country as a devout Muslim, Fazal withdrew himself and joined the Pakistani cricket team. His memorable performance came on a 1954 tour of England, where in the oval he played the leading role in Pakistan’s win. In his career, he took 139 test wickets and 466 first-class wickets. He took four 10-wicket hauls against India, England, and Australia.
7). Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Amir is a former Pakistani player. He was part of the 2009 T20 World Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy Pakistani team. Mohammad had a short career as he has taken retirement from all formats at the age of 28. But in that short career, he has made memorable performances, such as the dream spell of the final against arch-rivals India with 3/16 in 6 overs, which paved the way for Pakistan to win the Champions Trophy of 2017. He was the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup. His name was also involved in many controversies, and he also faced a ban for 5 years. Amir has taken 119 test wickets, 81 ODI wickets, and 59 T20 wickets in his career. Also Read: IPL Net Worth and Annual Income in 2024
8). Mohammad Asif
Mohammad Asif is a former Pakistani bowler. He played for Pakistan between 2005 and 2010. His career was overshadowed by his involvement in controversies, which did not lead him to play for his team and sadly ended his career earlier. Asif was known for moving his ball in any direction he wanted. In his career, he took 103 test wickets in just 23 test matches, 46 ODI wickets, and 13 T20 wickets. He has all the traits to marked his name in the Greatest Pakistani Fast Bowlers but his ban destroyed his dreams.
9). Umar Gul
He is one of the best T20 bowlers for the Pakistan team. He was a specialist in shorter formats. Gul is one of the few fast bowlers who has played for Pakistan in all three formats. He was the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in the 2007 and 2009 T20 World Cups. Gul could have had a more enlightened career, but his long-lasting injuries were a major setback in his career. In his career, he took 163 test wickets, 179 ODI wickets, and 85 T20 wickets.
10). Aaqib Javed
Aaqib Javed is a right-arm medium-pace bowler, former Pakistan cricketer and Pakistan cricket coach. He remains the youngest player to score an ODI hat-trick. Javed was also part of the 1992 World Cup team. His most significant performance was against India in 1991, in which he took 7/37 at the age of 19. He also had a short career, and one major reason for that we can predict is the duo of W’s [Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis]. In his career, he took 54 test wickets, 182 ODI wickets, and 358 first-class wickets. Also Read: ICC Net Worth and Annual Income in 2024