5 Pakistan bowlers with most wickets in international cricket ft. Shahid Afridi
The Pakistan men's cricket team is known for producing exceptionally talented bowlers, especially in the pace bowling department. From Imran Khan to Sarfraz Nawaz and Wasim Akram to Shoaib Akhtar, the Asian side has lived up to its tag of being the 'land of fast bowlers'.
If we talk about spinners, Pakistan have produced some high-quality slow bowlers as well. The names of Saqlain Mushtaq, Abdul Qadir, Mushtaq Ahmed and Saeed Ajmal instantly come to mind. Because the team has produced such brilliant bowling talent over the years, they have won big tournaments even though their batting department hasn't been as consistent.
The Asian nation is also credited as the side that introduced the concept of reverse swing to international cricket although their players have had their fair share of controversies as well over the manner in which they have 'used' the ball.
In this feature, though, we take a look at five Pakistan bowlers who have claimed the most wickets in international cricket.
#5 Saqlain Mushtaq
Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, most famous for his doosra (the ball that spins the other way) is fifth on the list of bowlers with most wickets in international cricket. In 218 matches (251 innings), Saqlain claimed 496 wickets at an average of 25.16, with 19 five-fers and three 10-wicket match hauls.
The 47-year-old represented Pakistan in 49 Tests, claiming 208 wickets at an average of 29.83, with five-fers and three 10-wicket match hauls. The former coach of the national team also picked up 288 scalps in 169 ODIs, averaging 21.78 at an economy rate of 4.29, with six five-fers. Saqlain played nine T20 matches but never featured in a T20 international.
#4 Shahid Afridi
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was a rather underrated leg-spinner. This is clear from the fact that he doesn't get as much credit for bowling despite being fourth on the famed list of Pakistan cricketers with most wickets in international cricket.
Afridi played 518 matches (512 innings) and claimed 538 wickets at an average of 32.79, with 10 five-fers.
The 44-year-old played 27 Tests and claimed 48 wickets at an average of 35.60, with one five-fer.
In ODIs, he picked up 395 wickets in 398 matches at an average of 34.51 and an economy rate of 4.62, with as many as nine five-wicket hauls. Afridi also claimed 98 scalps in 99 T20Is, averaging 24.44 with an economy rate of 6.63 and a best of 4-11.
#3 Imran Khan
Cricket legend and former captain Imran features in the top three on the list of Pakistan bowlers with most wickets in international cricket.
The 1992 World Cup-winning captain featured in 263 matches (295 innings) and claimed 544 wickets at an average of 24.08, with 24 five-fers and six 10-wicket match hauls.
Imran played 88 Tests and claimed 362 wickets at an average of 22.81, with 23 five-fers and six 10-wicket match hauls. In the ODI format, he featured in 175 matches and claimed 182 scalps at an average of 26.61, with a best of 6-14. Apart from his bowling exploits, Imran also scored over 7500 international runs.
#2 Waqar Younis
Former tearaway fast bowler Waqar Younis is second on the list of Pakistani cricketers to have taken the most number of wickets in international cricket. Also a former Pakistan captain, Waqar claimed 789 wickets in 349 matches (412 innings) at an average of 23.70, with 35 five-fers and five 10-wicket match hauls.
The 52-year-old represented Pakistan in 87 Test matches, claiming 373 wickets at an average of 23.56, with 22 five-fers and five 10-wicket match hauls. Waqar also featured in 262 ODIs and picked up 416 wickets at an average of 23.84, with as many as 13 five-fers and 14 four-fers. He has an ODI best of 7-36.
#1 Wasim Akram
Not surprisingly, Waqar's long-time fast bowling partner Akram tops the list of Pakistan bowlers to have claimed most wickets in international cricket.
The former left-arm seamer featured in 460 international games (532 innings_ and picked up 916 wickets at an average of 23.57, with 31 five-fers and five 10-wicket match hauls.
Akram played 104 Test matches, claiming 414 wickets at an average of 23.62, with 25 five-fers and five 10-wicket match hauls. The 58-year-old also turned out in 356 ODIs, claiming 502 wickets at an average of 23.52, with six five-wicket hauls. Apart from 916 scalps, Akram also scored 2898 runs in Tests and 3717 runs in ODIs.