Carl Hooper: “Wasim Akram was one of my toughest opponents”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former West Indies all-rounder Carl Hooper selected legendary Pakistan swing maestro Wasim Akram as one of the toughest opponents he faced in his career.
Wasim is arguably the greatest fast bowler Pakistan has ever produced as he bowled at 145 kph, could swing the ball both ways, and possessed a deadly yorker as well.
Nicknamed the Sultan of Swing, the 59-year-old from Lahore represented his country in 104 Tests and took 414 wickets at an average of 23.62.
He is also the second-highest wicket-taker in ODI history as he claimed 502 wickets in 356 matches at an average of 23.52.
“Wasim Akram was one of my toughest opponents,” Hooper told PakPassion.
The Pakistan team recently faced Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series in Lahore, which they won 3-0.
After that, they travelled to Bangladesh to play three T20Is and ended up losing 2-1.
Pakistan then toured the West Indies for a limited overs series and began by winning the T20Is 2-1.
As for the three ODIs that followed, the men in green were beaten 2-1.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a T20I tri-series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan in Sharjah, which will take place from August 29 to September 7.
Afterwards, the men in green will participate in the 2025 Asia Cup, which will be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28.
Pakistan squad for UAE T20I tri-series and 2025 Asia Cup: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem