Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram believes there is more to come from Australia’s “incredible” Ashes ball-busting veteran Mitchell Starc.
Akram reacted to Starc surpassing his tally of 414 wickets during the Brisbane Test against England on Thursday, becoming the all-time leading left-arm pacer.
“Congratulations to Starc for taking my number of wickets,” Akram told AFP, saying the 35-year-old’s passion and dedication helped him stand out.
“Starc has shown great dedication and focus in these times with so much cricket, having T20 championships with big money coming your way.
“He did play T20 leagues but then decided to play more Tests and left the minor format because he wanted to be remembered as one of the world’s best in the history of the game.
“Ten years down the line, if someone decides to have an all-time Test team, then Starc will definitely be named in that team.”
Despite outscoring Akram, Starc described the Pakistan great as “the pinnacle”.
“Wasim is still a much better bowler than me,” Starc said on Thursday.
Akram dismissed the debate about who is the greatest.
“It’s hard to compare both of them because we’re from different eras,” he said. “People say I was playing mellow tracks and he was playing bouncy Aussie, so that was different.
“But nowadays batters have a different mindset and play aggressive shots even on good balls, so wicket-taking is a more difficult art.”
Akram said he believed Starc’s passion could take him further.
“He’s 35 and his pace is still there and the passion is still at its peak. He’s been incredible as a fast bowler and he enjoys bowling fast, so you can go on.”
Starc, who claimed the crucial wickets of Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in the day-night clash, became the leading left-arm pacer in Test cricket with 418 scalps, surpassing Akram, who previously held the record with 414 wickets in 104 Tests.
The 35-year-old added three more to his tally after surpassing Akram’s all-time record and finished the opening day with impressive bowling figures of 6/71 in 19 overs, while Joe Root’s drought-ending century kept England afloat as the touring side reached 325/9.
Most Test wickets by left-arm fast bowlers
- Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 418 in 102* matches
- Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 414 in 104 matches
- Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) – 355 in 111 matches
- Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 317 in 78 matches
- Mitchell Johnson (Australia) – 313 in 73 matches
a href=”https://www.geo.tv/latest/637770-pakistans-wasim-akram-hails-incredible-starc-after-ashes-heroics”>Source link
