“Happy Birthday to my Sultan” - Wishes pour in for Wasim Akram as Pakistan legend turns 56

​

Wasim Akram turns 56 today. Pic: Twitter

Former Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram turns 56 on Friday, June 3. On the special occasion, Twitter was flooded with wishes for the ex-Pakistan captain, also referred to as the "Sultan of Swing."

Akram represented the country in 104 Tests and 356 ODIs from 1984 to 2003. He claimed 414 wickets in Test matches and 502 in one-day internationals. The former cricketer also scored 6615 international runs, which included an unbeaten 257 against Zimbabwe in Tests.

Apart from fans, Akram’s wife Shaniera also shared a heartfelt greeting for the cricket legend on her official Twitter handle. She wrote:

"Happy 56th Birthday to my Sultan 🥰 Wishing you love, health and happiness. If we have that then we have everything! Can't wait to see you soon InshAllah.”

Here’s how Twitterati wished Akram on the occasion of his 56th birthday:

Pakistan Cricket

@TheRealPCB

414 Test wickets at 23.62
502 ODI wickets at 23.52
🏏 6615 runs across formats
4 hat-tricks in international cricket
Player of the final in the 1992 @cricketworldcup

Happy birthday to the Sultan of Swing, @wasimakramlive

2965

226

☝️ 414 Test wickets at 23.62
☝️ 502 ODI wickets at 23.52
🏏 6615 runs across formats
🎩 4 hat-tricks in international cricket
🏆 Player of the final in the 1992 @cricketworldcup

Happy birthday to the Sultan of Swing, @wasimakramlive 👑🎂 https://t.co/mQ4GcANRWl

Shaniera Akram

@iamShaniera

Happy 56th Birthday to my Sultan 🥰
Wishing you love, health and happiness,
If we have that then we have everything!
Can't wait to see you soon InshAllah @wasimakramlive

4990

145

Happy 56th Birthday to my Sultan 🥰
Wishing you love, health and happiness,
If we have that then we have everything!
Can't wait to see you soon InshAllah @wasimakramlive https://t.co/8N6f0273qu

cricket.com.au

@cricketcomau

Wasim Akram was lethal when he got the ball moving, especially in ODIs!

The Pakistan legend is 56 today.

696

73

Wasim Akram was lethal when he got the ball moving, especially in ODIs!

The Pakistan legend is 56 today. https://t.co/1KbWGg9gok

Joy Bhattacharjya

@joybhattacharj

10 years ago, in the KKR nets, @wasimakramlive decided to have a little bowl in the nets, & a member of the coaching staff actually him to stay away from a particular net. Apparently that particular batsman, a current international star, was extremely low on confidence

1060

49

10 years ago, in the KKR nets, @wasimakramlive decided to have a little bowl in the nets, & a member of the coaching staff actually him to stay away from a particular net. Apparently that particular batsman, a current international star, was extremely low on confidence https://t.co/5HnQiOG5VM

ICC

@ICC

🏏 916 international wickets
Most sixes in a Test innings (12)
ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 1992 winner

Wishing a happy birthday to the former Pakistan captain and speedster Wasim Akram

2967

196

🏏 916 international wickets
🔥 Most sixes in a Test innings (12)
🏆 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 1992 winner

Wishing a happy birthday to the former Pakistan captain and speedster Wasim Akram 🎂

Rumman Raees

@rummanraees15

To the best left arm pacer World Cricket has ever seen, a bowler like never before, surely never again, wishing a very blessed birthday and a life ahead. Always so much to learn from you Wasim Bhai, hoping to meet you soon InshAllah. Happy Birthday 🙂 @wasimakramlive

406

8

To the best left arm pacer World Cricket has ever seen, a bowler like never before, surely never again, wishing a very blessed birthday and a life ahead. Always so much to learn from you Wasim Bhai, hoping to meet you soon InshAllah. Happy Birthday 🙂 @wasimakramlive https://t.co/7BnnaGrE2C

CricBeat

@Cric_beat

Most Wickets in 90s Decade

568 - Wasim Akram
563 - Shane Warne
548 - Waqar Younis
508 - Anil Kumble

Happy Birthday Wasim Akram

56

3

Most Wickets in 90s Decade

568 - Wasim Akram
563 - Shane Warne
548 - Waqar Younis
508 - Anil Kumble

Happy Birthday Wasim Akram

RK

@RK_sports

I was staying close to workplace and my grandmother was a HUGE cricket fan. Followed India Pak contests with great passion. She admired the Pakistani team and Wasim Akram in particular. “What a bowler!”, she used to exclaim EVERY TIME Wasim used to bamboozle us in his prime

10

I was staying close to workplace and my grandmother was a HUGE cricket fan. Followed India Pak contests with great passion. She admired the Pakistani team and Wasim Akram in particular. “What a bowler!”, she used to exclaim EVERY TIME Wasim used to bamboozle us in his prime😊

Karachi Kings

@KarachiKingsARY

Pride of Pakistan, a true champion and a legend!
Happy Birthday #PresidentofKings #SultanofSwing #KingKiBirthday #KarachiKings #YehHaiKarachi
@wasimakramlive @Salman_ARY @tariqwasi

208

21

Pride of Pakistan, a true champion and a legend!
Happy Birthday #PresidentofKings #SultanofSwing #KingKiBirthday #KarachiKings #YehHaiKarachi
@wasimakramlive @Salman_ARY @tariqwasi https://t.co/Y952opKO9X

𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔

@Shebas_10dulkar

Dismissing most Players on Duck in Intl cricket

189 - Akram
176 - McGrath
159 - Murali
153 - Anderson
148 - Waqar
147 - Vaas
143 - Pollock
132 - Warne
123 - Steyn
120 - Lee

Happy birthday Wasim Akram

65

15

Dismissing most Players on Duck in Intl cricket

189 - Akram
176 - McGrath
159 - Murali
153 - Anderson
148 - Waqar
147 - Vaas
143 - Pollock
132 - Warne
123 - Steyn
120 - Lee

Happy birthday Wasim Akram 💙 https://t.co/XLiho1i6I1

Aalia Rasheed

@aaliaaaliya

Happy Birthday, @wasimakramlive, you are one in a million! 🥳

121

5

Happy Birthday, @wasimakramlive, you are one in a million! 😍🎂🥳🎉

Woorkeri Raman

@wvraman

Happy birthday to one of the greatest exponents of all elements that made up fast bowling @wasimakramlive.. Have a great day Waas and a fab year ahead..
#legend

5

1

Happy birthday to one of the greatest exponents of all elements that made up fast bowling @wasimakramlive.. Have a great day Waas and a fab year ahead..
#legend

Zeeshan Baig

@drzeeshanbaig

#sunrisewithadeel

Wasim akram turns 56 today
Happy birthday @wasimakramlive

#wasimakram #HappyBirthday

5

#sunrisewithadeel

Wasim akram turns 56 today
Happy birthday @wasimakramlive

#wasimakram #HappyBirthday https://t.co/7jKshYfxvw

The former Pakistan pacer is the current president and mentor of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Karachi Kings.

---

"Wasim Akram was toughest bowler I ever played" - Mahela Jayawardene

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene recently described Akram as the toughest bowler he ever faced.

In an interview on ICC’s official website, the Sri Lankan legend admitted:

“Hands down, Wasim Akram. I made my debut when it was his (Akram’s) peak or the backend of his career. It was a nightmare to face him as it was tough because he is challenging you with the new ball, doesn’t matter what format it is. He had a really quick-arm action and he had the ability to beat you any time of the day. [sic]”

Jayawardene added:

“Hewould run in with the same intensity at the end of the second day’s play as he would at the first ball of the match.”

The former Sri Lankan captain represented the country in 149 Tests, 448 ODIs and 55 T20Is, scoring close to 26,000 international runs. He is the current coach of the IPL franchise Mumbai Indians (MI).

---

​