Wasim Akram or Imran Khan in an all-time Test XI?

[Harsh Thakor]

By the margin of a whisker I would chose Wasim Akram ahead of Imran Khan in an all-time xi.No doubt Imran was by a considerable margin a better batsmen and allrounder or even captain.Statistically he overshadowed Wasim with the ball.However considering his overall skill and factor of left-arm variety I feel Wasim would be a more handy choice.Being a left-arme bowler he would be the more perfect blend for the 2greatest right arm seamers.Gray Sobers would be the automatic choice as an all-rounder and Wasim will be the perfect foil for bowlers like Marshall,Lillee,Warne or Mcgrath.

Personally by the narrowest of margins I rank Wasim ahead of Imran,purely as a fast bowler.Consistently,Imran was a shade quicker and agressive but did not equal Wasim's all-round skill.Imran had mastery of the inswinger but was not so adept at moving the ball away while Wasim was master of the inswinger and outswinger.He also had greater master of the art of reverse swing .He could perform feats of a magician which Imran could not equal.True Imran was more ferocious and his best spells may have surpassed Wasim's but consistently he did not have the weaponry Wasim posessed in his armoury.In his peak period Imran statistically performed better but in the pre-peak and post-peak phase Wasim performed better.Wasim was at his best when neutral umpiring wa s introduced ,strong protective headgear and restriction on bouncers.He also hardly got support from the fielding side.Never forget that Wasim alos had to cary the burden of many more ODI's in his time than Imran.Arguably he did not achieve great individual figures like Imran's 8-60 ,8-58 and 7-52 because he had a great bowler like Waqar alongside him.Remember Malcolm Marshall never took an 8 wicket haul in his entire test career.I also feel Imran got more support from batting sides than Wasim did when he was responsible for pulling of spectacular wins for Pakistan all over the world.Although better away I feel at home turf on flat tracks Wasim surpassed Imran against West Indies and overall against Australia.Wasim at his best in Australia in 1989-90 was better than any performance by Imran in a single series in Australia.He was also marginaly more lethal against England as he showed in 1992.Against New Zealand Wasim was considerably better taking a record haul of 25 wickets in 1994 on their soil.

Imran had more determination and better temperament but I always feel that Wasim would be the greater danger for great oponents like Viv Richards,Sunil Gavaskar,Brian Lara or Sachin Tendulkar.Gooch,Gavaskar,Viv ,Lara and Kalis rated Wasim the hardest bowler they ever faced.Wasim at his best could fox or mesmerize great batsmen more than any pace bowler.Thus Wasim was a more daunting proposition for great batsmen.Even if Imran took more wickets it is Wasim who would trouble them more and lay the base for crucial inroads in a batting line-up.

At his best Wasim could be more flamboyant with the bat than Imran like in Australia in 1990 or v Zimbawe in 1997 whenhe scored 257.At his best he was close to Imran's heels as a skipper for a while but overall could not comparte with him.Imran could build an innings much better with the bat but was not at his peak with both bat and ball.


In the final countdown Imran was certainly above Wasim as a cricketer but as Imran would not lead the all-time test xi or be the 1st choice as an all-rounder I back Wasim to be the better accomplice.This does not deny that Imran Khan shaped the destiny of Pakistani cricket to reach it's pinnacle of glory more than any cricketer ever and made a contribution to a nation becoming a superpower arguably more than anyone after Gary Sobers.

Not surprisingly, Akram remains one of the most potent matchwinners in Tests for Pakistan. In the 41 wins that he was a part of, he took 211 wickets at an average which compares well with the best in the business.

RECORD OF WASIM AKRAM

Best bowling averages in Test wins (Qual: 200 wickets) Bowler Tests Wickets Average Strike rate 5WI/ 10WM
Muttiah Muralitharan 53 430 16.03 42.6 40/ 18
Malcolm Marshall 43 254 16.78 38.1 17/ 4
Curtly Ambrose 44 229 16.86 44.4 13/ 3
Waqar Younis 39 222 18.20 35.0 14/ 4
Dennis Lillee 31 203 18.27 39.0 17/ 6
Shaun Pollock 49 223 18.30 47.5 9/ 1
Wasim Akram 41 211 18.48 42.3 13/ 2
Anil Kumble 43 288 18.75 44.4 20/ 5

Like most fast bowlers from Pakistan, Akram too mastered the art of bowling grassless pitches, where reverse swing becomes a most potent weapon. He is one of only four bowlers to take more than 150 wickets in Pakistan, while in the three major subcontinent countries, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, his average was marginally better than his overall career average.

Best Test fast bowlers in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (Qual: 100 wkts) Bowler Tests Wkts Average Strike rate 5WI/ 10WM
Imran Khan 51 205 20.28 48.8 12/ 3
Waqar Younis 41 191 21.07 39.2 13/ 4
Wasim Akram 57 211 22.67 52.9 11/ 1
Shoaib Akhtar 26 108 24.87 45.2 6/ 1
Javagal Srinath 35 116 26.43 55.0 6/ 1
Chaminda Vaas 71 230 27.54 62.4 6/ 1
Kapil Dev 86 279 29.01 59.8 14/ 2
Zaheer Khan 38 107 38.12 69.2 2/ 0

Through most of his career, Akram formed a destructive fast-bowling combination with Waqar: in the 61 Tests they played together, Akram averaged 21.33, with 20 five-fors and four ten-wicket hauls; in the 43 Tests he played without Waqar, his averaged fell to 28.50, and he only managed five five-fors. His wickets per Tests too dropped to 3.07 per match, from 4.62 when the bowled with Waqar. Some of that was also because the periods he bowled without Waqar were also during the first and last parts of his career, when he wasn't at his most potent.

Akram in Tests, with and without Waqar Younis Tests Wickets Average Strike rate 5WI/ 10WM
With Waqar 61 282 21.33 49.2 20/ 4
Without Waqar 43 132 28.50 66.2 5/ 1


RECORD OF IMRAN KHAN



In the 1980s, Imran was in his pomp, and he was easily among the top five players in the world during this period. Till the end of 1988, both his batting and his bowling were in fine fettle: he averaged almost 40 with the bat and less than 18 with the ball, numbers which indicate quite emphatically just how dominant he was. He was even more lethal in the 14 months between November 1981 and January 1983: in 16 Tests during this period he averaged almost 48 with the bat, and took 104 wickets at an incredible average of 14.87, with eight five-wicket hauls. India and Australia played six Tests each against Pakistan during this period, and both suffered extensively at the hands of Imran: he destroyed India's much-vaunted batting line-up with 40 wickets at 13.95, while Australia fared only slightly better, conceding 29 wickets to him at 16.65. Of the 11 Man-of-the-Match awards he won in his entire Test career, five came in a six-month period from August 1982 to January 1983. In the third Test of that series against India, Imran scored 117 in Pakistan's first innings and had match figures of 11 for 117, making him one of only two players - Ian Botham is the other - to score a century and take ten wickets in the same Test.

In his last three years in Test cricket Imran didn't bowl much, averaging only about 25 overs per Test, but his batting went to a new level altogether, as he went past 50 nine times in 20 innings.

Imran Khan's Test career Period Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s Wickets Average 5WI/ 10WM
Till Dec 1979 25 832 22.48 0/ 1 98 31.88 5/ 1
Jan 1980 to Dec 1988 48 2028 39.76 4/ 10 236 17.77 18/ 5
Jan 1989 onwards 15 947 72.84 2/ 7 28 33.53 0/ 0
Overall 88 3807 37.69 6/ 18 362 22.81 23/ 6

 

[DRsohail]

i think imran was more deadly during hi peak days...

 

[DRsohail]

imran had fitness issues in his last years,,

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

At absolute peak any of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar or Shoaib would be an asset for any XI.

But if I've to choose between IK and Wasim Akram then I'd go with Wasim to give XI an unique attacking option

 

[Harsh Thakor]

At absolute peak any of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar or Shoaib would be an asset for any XI.

But if I've to choose between IK and Wasim Akram then I'd go with Wasim to give XI an unique attacking option

In terms of artistry or ability to create suspense or deceive Wasim was supreme.Do you agree?By a whisker ahead as a pace bowler than Imran?

 

[Sidilicious]

At absolute peak any of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar or Shoaib would be an asset for any XI.

But if I've to choose between IK and Wasim Akram then I'd go with Wasim to give XI an unique attacking option

At peak IK would offer more as the bowling allrounder than Wasim. The only question I would raise whether IK would play as a strike bowler, or a 5th bowler. If IK played as a strike bowler, the only question would be whether he delivered as a batsman when he played as a strike bowler. But if IK does deliver, then there is no question.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

In terms of artistry or ability to create suspense or deceive Wasim was supreme.Do you agree?By a whisker ahead as a pace bowler than Imran?

Absolutely. As almost all batsmen who faced Akram say: he had the ability to produce jaffas at any stage of their innings, which kept them at their toes against Waz. Trait of a wicket-taker.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

At peak IK would offer more as the bowling allrounder than Wasim. The only question I would raise whether IK would play as a strike bowler, or a 5th bowler. If IK played as a strike bowler, the only question would be whether he delivered as a batsman when he played as a strike bowler. But if IK does deliver, then there is no question.

Touché on all accounts.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Imran was unquestionably the greater cricketer but Wasim being the greatest left arm pacer( and he's greater than Alan Davidson too haters) is unique though and should be in the lineup.

 

[Abdul]

Akram.

 

[ManFan]

Imran Khan trumps Akram by a mile. Akram only brings left-arm pace to the table with the ability to strike a few clean down the order. Imran is the better batsmen, captain, fielder, and bowler. He might not be as versatile as Akram as a bowler but he outperformed him in Australia and England.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Imran Khan trumps Akram by a mile. Akram only brings left-arm pace to the table with the ability to strike a few clean down the order. Imran is the better batsmen, captain, fielder, and bowler. He might not be as versatile as Akram as a bowler but he outperformed him in Australia and England.

Not in Australia.Wasim was more brilliant than Imran ever was in Australia in 1989-90 and also performed better at home against them.Wasim in England in 1992 bowled better than Imran ever did there while in 1987 took 16 wickets not even being at his best.Imran was also never as good as Wasim against West Indies at home like in 1990 and 1997.

 

[jeetu]

While Imran provides value than Akram as player because of much superior batting skills. In case of All time XI Akram gets in because he gives extra dimension to all time XI on 2 counts.
1. Being a left armer he provides great variety to attack.
2. His ability with old ball is pretty much unmatched.

 

[Bilal7]

If you're looking to win and do not have any biases, both Imran and Wasim would be in your all-time test XI. If there was a quota limiting the selection to only one player from Pakistan, my answer will always be Imran Khan.

Imran, although not as skilled as Wasim, was an absolute monster during his peak when he was averaging 13 with the ball. He went up against the greatest team of all time and rattled them with his booming inswingers and would have won a series or two against them if it wasn't for some unethical umpiring.

Imran's batting and captaincy overshadow how great his bowling was. Take away the other strings to his bow and he is undoubtedly a fast bowler who was as legendary, if not more, than Marshall, Hadlee, Wasim and McGrath.

 

[ManFan]

Not in Australia.Wasim was more brilliant than Imran ever was in Australia in 1989-90 and also performed better at home against them.Wasim in England in 1992 bowled better than Imran ever did there while in 1987 took 16 wickets not even being at his best.Imran was also never as good as Wasim against West Indies at home like in 1990 and 1997.

I'm not talking about whether he bowled " brilliantly " but rather straight numbers. Imran was better statistically in England and Wasim in Australia. However, Imran beats Wasim against WI. SO, IMRAN FOR ME.

 

[The_Odd_One]

I will pick Wasim only because he adds variety to a bowling attack. There are not many left handed ATG bowlers.

 

[Hasan123]

Imran due to his batting and also his leadership qualities. It's a close call .

 

[Buffet]

More ATG XIs have Wasim and very few have IK in there. Thread is not about who was a better cricketer.

 

[waleed88]

Imran Khan over Wasim Akram in Test Matches. Wasim had diabetic issues which made him a less lethal force as he grew older post 1999. Ofcourse he would do it against the WI even in his decline in 2000. But Imran did it against the top opposition like WI, Australia even as he grew old. That is remarkable for a sportsman.

 

[waleed88]

imran had fitness issues in his last years,,

Wasim was diabetic

 

[subshakerz]

Respectfully disagree. Imran was a better batsman, captain and even bowler than Wasim.

The only thing Wasim had over Imran was talent. But Imran was mentally tougher, smarter, and more impactful than Wasim. Imran at his peak wast he greatest bowler ever statistically. Wasim never touched those heights.

The only reason people chose Wasim over Imran in an all-time XI is because they limit themselves to one all-rounder in Sobers and hence drop Imran. They also think Wasim gives them more variety.

To me, Sobers already offers left-arm variety so the point is moot. Imran justifies his place as a bowler alone. He is too great a player to miss the final XI.

 

[subshakerz]

You also claim that Wasim in 1989 in Australia was better than any series of Imran. Really, you think that was better than the 40 wickets he took against India IN 82-83?

Wasim was MY favorite bowler but he underachieved.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

This question has been beaten to death on this forum on many occasions and every time we come to the same conclusion, statistically as well as subjectively that Imran Khan was the better test cricketer than Wasim Akram (And this is coming from someone who Loves Wasim as a cricketer and for all his services to Pakistan)

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

Imran. Better bowler, better batsman, better captain, better cricketer.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

You also claim that Wasim in 1989 in Australia was better than any series of Imran. Really, you think that was better than the 40 wickets he took against India IN 82-83?

Wasim was MY favorite bowler but he underachieved.

I meant in Australia,not overall sir.Imran did not equal Wasim's best in 1990 in Australia when he took 17 wickets in 2 tests.

 

[Rudi hater]

I meant in Australia,not overall sir.Imran did not equal Wasim's best in 1990 in Australia when he took 17 wickets in 2 tests.

Same could be said about wasim, he never took 40 wickets in a series at home on placid tracks like Imran did. I watched both Imran Khan and Wasim bowl live and Imran was alot faster than Wasim at his peak. I would have Imran ahead. Wasim was a great bowler but he learnt alot from Imran. Imran used to tell him what ball to bowl as he had no clue at the begining of his career.

 

[subshakerz]

I meant in Australia,not overall sir.Imran did not equal Wasim's best in 1990 in Australia when he took 17 wickets in 2 tests.

Um, so? Imran still had very good series in Australia in 76 and 81, so its not like he didnt prove himself there. This seems a very arbitrary reason to disqualify Imran.

Australia werent the best team in Imran's time, WI was. What matters more is that Imran took 23 wickets in the WI when they were the best team in the world. He responded to challenges moreso than Wasim.

 

[ToeCrusher2]

Wasim Akram is easily and comfortably ahead of Imran Khan

 

[ManFan]

Let's see. Imran averaged 50 with the bat and below 20 with the ball in the last TEN years of his career. Wasim won a WC Final but he wouldn't have had the runs to defend if it wasn't for Imran's 72.