Salman Butt: “Wasim bhai and Waqar bhai were not only express fast bowlers, but they could swing the ball, seam it, and execute deadly reverse swing. They had the ability to shatter toes and split helmets, such complete bowlers are unmatched”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt believes the legendary pace duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis “are unmatched” as they were “complete bowlers” who “had the ability to shatter toes and split helmets”.
Wasim and Waqar are arguably the greatest fast bowling pair in the history of the sport as both of them possessed express pace and could swing the ball both ways.
Wasim represented Pakistan in 104 Tests and took 414 wickets at an average of 23.62.
He is also the second-highest wicket-taker in ODI history, having picked up 502 wickets in 356 matches at an average of 23.52.
As for Waqar, he claimed 373 wickets in 87 Tests at an average of 23.56.
He also represented his country in 262 ODIs and snapped up 416 wickets at an average of 23.84.
“Wasim bhai and Waqar bhai were not only express fast bowlers, but they could swing the ball, seam it, and execute deadly reverse swing. They had the ability to shatter toes and split helmets, such complete bowlers are unmatched,” Salman was quoted as saying by A Sports.
The Pakistan cricket team recently travelled to Australia and triumphed 2-1 in an ODI series before being crushed 3-0 in the T20Is.
They then headed to Zimbabwe and won both the ODI and T20I series 2-1.
As for their ongoing tour of South Africa, Pakistan lost the T20I series 2-0, but hold a 2-0 lead in the ODI series heading into the third match on December 22 in Johannesburg.
Once the ODIs are complete, Pakistan and South Africa will play two Tests, with the first match starting on December 26 in Centurion.
Pakistan Squad for South Africa T20I Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa ODI Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa Test Series: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha
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