'A Cricketer And A Gentleman'

The man who terrorised batsmen -- be it in the one-dayers or Tests -- will be missed byteammates, opponents and fans alike.

No less by the Indians who were at the receiving end of his fury many a time.

"Wasim Akram will be remembered forever as one of the all-time greats," former India captainKrishnamachari Srikkanth said.

"Akram is the best fast bowler I have ever played against in the world. His deceptive bouncers were very lethal andbecause of that Akram found success so often," said Srikkanth, who led the last Indian team toPakistan in 1989. 

Akram's retirement, announced midway through a county match in England, might have been low key without much hooplabut at least, he realised early enough that he no more had a chance of returning to the Pakistan team and bid adieu.

More than 400 wickets in both forms of the game is a rare double that would withstand the test of time. If his 1,032first-class wickets at 21.65 including 70 five and 16 ten-wicket hauls are staggering, the two hat-tricks in bothTests and one-day internationals complete the picture of an all-time great.

For all his exploits all over the world, Akram enjoyed bowling against India, claiming 45 wickets from 12 Tests and60 from 48 one-day internationals. But his last encounter against the arch-rivals -- a nightmarish match for Pakistan inthe World Cup in South Africa -- resulted in despair for the 'Sultan of Swing'. He was thrashed by SachinTendulkar, probably the only batsman he was not able to tame completely during his illustrious career.

However, memories of playing against India is something that Akram cherished, like most of his teammates.

"A series against India always raises our spirit. We in Pakistan say 'whenever you want to get back into form, have amatch against India'," the bowler often said, and that may explain the levels to which he raised his game whenplaying against the rivals.

The ten-wicket haul by Anil Kumble might be the oft-mentioned feat in the last Test series played between the twoneighbouring countries in 1999 but the cricket puritan would like to remember Akram's spell on the fifth morning in the ChennaiTest which Pakistan won.

The delivery that got Rahul Dravid was just one fibre of a magical yarn that the seamerwove around Indianbatting's mainstay. 

Akram's battle with other leading Indian cricketers also the stuff thatmake folklore. Ever since his lethal bouncer left Srikkanth with a bleeding forehead in a one-day international in 1987-88,it could be said the swashbacklingbatsman failed to bat with the same authority against the Pakistani.

In the famous return series in 1989, Akram opened some of the old scars to have Srikkanth dismissed in seven of the eight innings. In theeighth instance, the Indian captain was caught by Akram. 

"He was the best paceman and none of the top batsmen in the world felt comfortable while facing Akram," formerplayer and selection committee chairman Chandu Borde said echoing the thoughts of mostIndians.

What set Akram apart from his contemporaries was he did not need to resort to sledging toearn his wickets. There was hardly a moment in his entire career when Akram spat verbal volleys in the manner of thelikes of Glenn McGrath after beating a batsman.

There was not even the typical West Indian fast bowler's cold stare on the follow-through. Just a rueful grin on thesweaty face which seemed to ask, "How could you have missed it".

Former India all-rounder Robin Singh vouches for Akram's approach to the game.

"He is a gentleman cricketer and he will be missed," said Robin.

"He is the most complete bowler in the world. My personal observation of Akram is that he is the best fast bowler in theworld. He is a fast bowler with rare natural abilities and he has proved quite often that he can take wickets at will,"he said.

PTI