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Why did Waqar Younis not receive as much adulation in comparison to Wasim Akram?

Savak

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I mean he was a very devastating bowler in his prime, but for me Wasim is the guy who mostly tended to walk away with a lot of praise, adulation from the press, media.

Does this have a lot to do with Wasim being more extroverted and more charming? Wasim definitely has proven to be the more easy going guy and he has a much better history than Waqar when it comes to getting along with difficult characters. Imran Khan to this day still specially invites Wasim on his social get togethers, retreats but he has absolutely zero time for Waqar.

Waqar in comparison gives the impression he is more introverted and feels uncomfortable in social circles. I also get the impression that with Waqar, if you don't make an instant impression on him or if you fall short, he writes you off with no recourse for second chances. Waqar has also had a bigger history of conflicts with team mates as players, as coach.
 
Wasim was always shrewd and was careful enough to be "camera-ready" while Waqar came across as bitter and brutish.
 
Wasim was a better bowler as well, not to forget had a WC under him bigger longevity.
 
Hes a left armer and that action was poetry in motion

Waqars bowling was brutish Wasims more refined and elegant
 
Wasim was consistently the better bowler.
Waqar regressed significantly after his first 3-4 years. He was just an average bowler for most of his latter career

Wasim was also a better batsmen. And most significantly, Wasim won Pakistan their only WC, Waqar was injured and didn't even travel with the team

Wasim is more charismatic as well.. it should be pretty obvious why the fans and media prefer Wasim over Waqar
 
Recently because of Waqar getting his hands dirty involving himself with Pakistan cricket. Before that he received as much adulation as Wasim Akram
 
Recently because of Waqar getting his hands dirty involving himself with Pakistan cricket. Before that he received as much adulation as Wasim Akram

Nope he never did as much as Wasim even before at least globally and rightly so.
 
Nope he never did as much as Wasim even before at least globally and rightly so.
Always thought they were neck and neck, and probably still regarded as such globally. Wasim is ofcourse a lot more media savvy as compared to Waqar, and being an Indian fan you would naturally relate to Wasim more.
 
Because Wasim was a genius. He could do kind of things which nobody in the cricket world could do.

There are many great cricketers in the cricketing history and even many from Wasim's era itself but people like Sobers, Wasim or Warne have a different place in cricketing world simply because of their magical ability, the kinds of things which only they can do.

Just look at the admiration Wasim gets from his peers compared to the rest.
 
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Thank God Waqar did not have the affection of some of these people we call journalists!
 
Wasim won the hearts of the people for winning the 92 WC Final. Waqar got smacked by Jadeja in the highest profile Pak-Ind match of his career.
 
It has less to be due to bowling . In addition to other factors,Waseem ‘s involvement with Indian cricket both as a commentator cum tv anchor and IPL stint might be a big factor . Indian media has a large audience to cater , so that is probably one of the reason waseem is more famous than Waqar.
 
Wasim had a better test career and in ODI gap was even bigger.
 
Akram was a different cricketer all together. A genius with the ball; the most talented and skillful fast bowler ever.
 
Wasim was the better bowler.

You could put both of their careers side by side without knowing who they are and Wasim would still come out on top.
 
Waqar was a better bowler overall but Wasim was more consistent. Waqar had one of the better fast bowlers action in decades.
 
Waqar was more destructive and lethal at his peak than Wasim, but he was probably one dimensional (in a unique way) in that wickets for the most part at his peak came through his magical weapon - bowled/lbw from fast late swinging yorkers.. he made his mistakes as a bowler in between but could make up for it knowing he had the extreme skill to come up with that one wicket taking delivery at any moment - like they say, you miss I hit. And those unplayable Yorkers many which were wasted against tailenders could easily have dismissed a Bradman, Sobers or Viv many times.

Wasim earned more respect in my view as he was a more complete fastbowler and his variety and shrewdness could intentionally make even the best batsmen look clueless, is the ball coming in? Or swinging out, or short ball unexpectedly, Yorker, he could bowl all these deliveries within an over and beat the batsman through smart and craftiness. That is why even the likes of Tendulkar, Lara, Viv, Dravid compliment Wasim so highly.
 
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It varies from country to country: in England, New Zealand and South Africa it was Waqar who performed better and was more feared: indeed in England the verb for being bowled by a Yorker is to be “Waqared”! Even if the bowler is Shoaib or Starc!!!!!!!

Waqar is less renowned in Australia, India and Pakistan because Wasim Akram performed better there.

In the UK, Waqar is nothing less than a living legend. Imran Khan and Wasim Akram never did win a county championship, nor did Javed Miandad or Zaheer Abbas.

But Mushtaq Ahmed did twice, and Waqar even won the Championship for little Glamorgan.

Just listen to the BBC Test Match Special “Ask Waqar” episode from last week. Even Vic Marks - who is an Oxford graduate who played alongside Viv Richards and Ian Botham at Somerset - was in absolute awe of Waqar Younis.
 
Wasim developed his skills overtime he became better and better by every game whereas Waqar regressed after 96 world cup.. he was no longer the bowler once he was.
shoaib akhter came to the scene to replace waqar. shoaib had more speed same yorkers as waqar and better charisma.. on the other there was no one to replace Wasim (there wont be any anyways).
 
Peak of Waqar was much higher than Wasim, from 1989 to 1995,Waqar was monster and very exciting to watch. But after his injury, he become pretty average bowler...

Wasim on the other hand, had career for 18 years 1985 to 2003), he never really had significant dip in Odis throughout his career, because of his exceptional skills, not just pace. In test he was helping hand in later years to Sohaib( late 90s onward)...

Plus Wasim was always good with new ball, could swing both ways, has so many variations, Waqar did not have all that.

Also, Wasim was more well rounded, he was good in AUS as well, where both Waqar and Sohaib struggled...

Waqar main reason of fame were banana swinging yorkers, one can argue, at peak Waqar was tier above Wasim at reverse swing as well... He has some very crazy stats early on, not just that his SR was 46, even after significant dip in test, early on he must be below 40...I remember before 1995/96, Waqar was more thrilling to watch than Wasim...
 
Lets be honest Waqar is hated for that 1996 world cup quarter final performance and its really unfortunate that he is hated for it since he was our best bowler in that game until the 41st over he even had Jadeja out plumb but it was not given by the umpire..

Not to take anything away from Jadeja it was a brutal knock that absolutely took the game away from Pakistan..
 
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Wasim maybe very slightly better. No way is he a level above. Arguments could be made for Waqar being the better bowler in the test format.

Slightly better? Wasim was easily a level above. He is in the ranks of geniuses like Warne Tendulkar Viv and co. Waqar is not.

Various greats of the game like Dravid Ponting Kallis rated Wasim as the most difficult bowler to face.
 
I think the English rate Waqar higher but Indians/Australians will always rate wasim higher since he was more effective against us.
 
Nah, Waqar never had the swagger. World class bowler at his best but a boring personality
 
Wasim was better at everything.

Better bowler
Better batsman
Better fielder
Better match winner
Better captain
Better leader
Better charisma
Better communication skills
 
Waqar had a much shorter peak. He was world class for the first 3-4 yrs of his career. Post that, he was an average bowler. Wasim was consistent for most part of his career.

Although, the popularity has got to do with the personality. Wasim was shrewd and was a people's person. Waqar wasn't.
 
Waqar Younis was inferior to Glenn McGrath, Allan Donald and Curtly Ambrose as well, none of them received as much adulation as Wasim did.

That's also one big fact.
 
Slightly better? Wasim was easily a level above. He is in the ranks of geniuses like Warne Tendulkar Viv and co. Waqar is not.

Various greats of the game like Dravid Ponting Kallis rated Wasim as the most difficult bowler to face.

Dravid and co though were from the era when waqar was past his best

Ask the batsmen from the early 90s and you may get a different response
 
Its got less to do with whose better or effective (because some would say that was debateable)

More to do with akram being more skillful, possesing more variety and being a left armer
 
Waqar had a very short peak. After 1996, he was just a shadow of his own self. Due to injuries, his pace dropped, his action changed and he was never the same threatening bowler again. He played the last few years mainly on reputation. While Wasim was still a very good bowler in his last years. He had more skills and longevity due to his smooth run-up and easy action.
 
Dravid and co though were from the era when waqar was past his best

Ask the batsmen from the early 90s and you may get a different response

Which batsman from early 90s?

How long was this prime then?5 years? How does that compare to a bowler with a 18yr career?

Waqar struggled once he lost pace and once players started playing his reverse swing in dipping yorkers well. Wasim though continued to be effective.
 
Idk why but i always feel like waqar was kane and wasim was undertaker.
 
I always rated Waqar as the real hard man, but that is because he performed better than Wasim against England.
 
Which batsman from early 90s?

How long was this prime then?5 years? How does that compare to a bowler with a 18yr career?

Waqar struggled once he lost pace and once players started playing his reverse swing in dipping yorkers well. Wasim though continued to be effective.

Wasim didnt have 18 great years He was world class between 89-99 before that he was learning his skill, after that ineffective He was pretty much done by 2000

Its a myth waqar struggled Yes he never reached those high standards post 95 but to say he struggled is rubbish He was still a very good bowler
 
Waqar

Tests 87, 373 Wkts @ 23.56 SR 43.4,
ODIs 262, 416 Wkts @ 23.84 SR 30.5

Wasim

Tests 104, 414 Wkts @ 23.62 SR 54.6
ODIs 356, 502 Wkts @ 23.52 SR 36.2

There’s nothing in it in terms of stats Wasim being a better bowler is a bit of a myth, hes lauded for being a exceptional leftie (when historically there weren’t any) and someone with great skill and versatility as a bowler Something waqar and most bowlers tbh don’t possess
 
Wasim was a better batsman and probably fielder as well. Pak needed to promote an all rounder after IK.
 
Did I just read someone say Waqar was a rubbish bowler after injury? :)))

Misguided soul, Waqar's peak was so literally devastating that his excellent record after injury pales in comparison. Even at the fag end of his career he was ripping teams apart.
 
To me, Waqar always had more swag and Wasim had more skill. But I think wasim had a more successful captaincy and was part of the winning WC squad, therefore he was more popular. Similar to Afridi and Razzaq, both were good allrounders but Afridi has captaincy on his resume.
 
I think both were exceptional bowlers but Wasim was a genius. Waqar also had lots of injuries which hampered his career and in the later part wasn't the same bowler he was at the start of his career. Also Wasim's brilliant performance in 1992 WC final makes him legendary.
 
Did I just read someone say Waqar was a rubbish bowler after injury? :)))

Misguided soul, Waqar's peak was so literally devastating that his excellent record after injury pales in comparison. Even at the fag end of his career he was ripping teams apart.

He never had an excellent record after his injury. Since 1995 till the end of his career, he averaged more than 28. Decent, but nothing great for a bowler of his caliber.
 
He never had an excellent record after his injury. Since 1995 till the end of his career, he averaged more than 28. Decent, but nothing great for a bowler of his caliber.

Wasim and Waqar both averaged 29 post the 1999 world cup... both were pretty much equal in test matches too
 
He never had an excellent record after his injury. Since 1995 till the end of his career, he averaged more than 28. Decent, but nothing great for a bowler of his caliber.
No he did not. Averaged around 27 in Tests and 25 in ODIs, while Wasim Akram averaged 25 in Tests and 24 in ODIs in the same period. Towards the end of their careers, Waqar had slightly better performances than Wasim. Its really a myth that Wasim was way better than Waqar.
 
Injuries slowed him down in the late 90s. He played way too much cricket for a tearaway from 90-94. Can't blame him though as he was ignorant on how to manage his body as was the board. Had he extended his peak from 94-98, he'd be right up there amongst the top 5 to ever bowl.
 
Wasim I believe lost interest in Cricket after losing the captaincy in 2000, he just looked at ending his career in the 2003 WC as a formality. Wasim was still a steady economical bowler still even if he wasn't running through sides.

Waqar on the other hand was mostly boom or bust and mostly bust. You could see with the naked eye he was finished as a bowler, he was very lucky to have gotten the captaincy in 2001 because he was in and out of the side previously and would most likely not have made selection for the 2003 WC otherwise.
 
Waqar actually is a very private person. Wasim came on many joint tv interviews with his late wife and his current wife in comparison and was and is very social on the party scene. These things play a role
 
I always rated Waqar as the real hard man, but that is because he performed better than Wasim against England.

England was not really a good side back then compared to now.
 
What were their ages at that point in time?

Waqar is 3-4 years younger, but you don't look at the age they started, but you look at the no. of years they played in cricket.. Wasim started earlier, but all of Waqar, Wasim, Anwar were given a deadline by the chairman after the 2003 world cup that this will be their last..
 
Till 1995 Waqar was a beast. Although not as skilled or gifted like Wasim, in that period 1991 to 1995 he was probably the best fast bowler in the world. He was always ranked no.1 in the Coppers & Lybrand rating. There was no better sight than watching Waqar steaming in. The more he got hit for runs the more quicker he bowled. In an interview Imran mentioned that Waqar was physically stronger than Wasim. At times Wasim will shift to fast-medium or even medium pace but Waqar no matter what the situation with his long run up will be charging in every ball. That was one of the reasons he suffered two serious stress fractures on his lower back. Now stress fracture of the lower back is a serious injury and a career threatening for a fast bowler. Ian Bishop was half the bowler when he made his comeback. Dennis Lillee became a much clever bowler after 1974 but lost his pace. Despite two of these injuries Waqar made a comeback and ended up with 383 wickets.

Yes, he was not the same bowler after 1995, but will be remembered as one of the greatest.
 
Waqar was a better bowler until mid 90s
Wasim was a better captain, an all rounder and probably more articulate/carried himself better
If I had to choose the better bowler between them and one of the criterion was , "Who was better in their peak" I would choose Waqar
 
Waqar Mark 1 was as good as any quick in history. WI were immense in his day and he ran through them. 1989-1993, Waqar even allowing for his injury in 1992 was as good as it is possible to be. Lightening fast, boomerang swing. He revolutionized fast bowling.

But he fell off pretty quickly. If I am not mistaken, he had 200 scalps in 36 tests @ 18 and then 150 odd at 27 for the rest of his career. Very much a career of two parts, but his best is better than Wasim's best.
 
Waqar having a terrible Test record in most major countries may have something to do with this.
 
Gonna leave this here:

To me, the ability to take wickets counts more than anything, and the stats show that despite the era, Waqar was always more of a wicket taker than wasim.

Comparison.jpg
 
It's a very satisfying feeling as a Pakistan fan to know that Wasim Akram, who was a genius and some say was arguably the greatest fast bowler ever, and yet we Pakistan fans can boast Waqar and Imran Khan who were arguably better fast bowlers.. I did say arguably twice here, in two different contexts.

A similar analogy could be Sobers, Viv and Lara -- any one of these three could be Arguably the greatest test batsman ever, and yet the other two were arguably better. :)
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One of cricket's greatest quotes. Sir Geoffrey Boycott "Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis could bowl England out with an orange" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/l45acZA0Yt">pic.twitter.com/l45acZA0Yt</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1256606031662198784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Maybe its because wasim did well against the indians in the 99 tests that indian fans laud him Stats wise there isnt anything between the two legends
you could easily argue waqar was as good if not better

Wasim is lauded perhaps more because he was a great leftie had a beautiful action and had magical skill as a bowler
He could have you caught behind bowled or hit you on the head over the wicket or round the wicket

His action is the one i copied as a kid just because it was so dreamy the way he ran in and glided through the crease Pure magic
 
Pakistan's greatest glory World Cup win in 1992 had pivotal roles coming from Wasim, Inzamam, Miandad and Imran. Among these names, Waqar Younis becomes a forgotten name.

Then 7 years down the lines, Waqar was not even a starter in 1999 World Cup and was mostly in and out of the Pakistan team. In contrast, Wasim debuted before Waqar and had maintained consistent performance over the time and captained the team in the late 90s.

Third point is that Wasim being left arm bowler was aesthetically more pleasing on eyes, possessed far more skills and was easier to caught attention to the cricket world much like Brian Lara is to the world.
 
This can be likened to the Mohammed Ali and Mike Tyson analogy.

Waqar like Tyson was devastating in his prime but his prime was for a few years and then after losing his pace and ferociousness, was reliant on his experience. Tyson’s issues were psychological whereas Waqar’s was predominantly injuries.

Wasim Akram like Ali was a magician who would mesmerise you with trickery and did so for years!
 
This can be likened to the Mohammed Ali and Mike Tyson analogy.

Waqar like Tyson was devastating in his prime but his prime was for a few years and then after losing his pace and ferociousness, was reliant on his experience. Tyson’s issues were psychological whereas Waqar’s was predominantly injuries.

Wasim Akram like Ali was a magician who would mesmerise you with trickery and did so for years!

Wasim wasnt as good throughout his career Its falsehood he was great throughout his career

His peak lasted from 89-95 where he was brilliant

From 1984-88 and 1996-2000 wasim was decent but not the great bowler everyone talks about

I remember particularly from 2000 onwards wasim was done as a bowler
 
Wasim wasnt as good throughout his career Its falsehood he was great throughout his career

His peak lasted from 89-95 where he was brilliant

From 1984-88 and 1996-2000 wasim was decent but not the great bowler everyone talks about

I remember particularly from 2000 onwards wasim was done as a bowler

Wasim was economical, when he was not picking up wickets he wasn't getting trashed and going at 10 runs an over. When you are economical, no one questions your place in the side. Sadly this was not the case with Waqar especially from 1998 onwards to the end of his career.
 
Strangely enough even Wasim's decline started at the exact same time as Waqar's from mid 1998 onwards. The last time the world saw the fearsome Wasim Akram was on the tour to South Africa in February March 1998 just like Waqar and he was in decent shape. Then Wasim went to Lancashire for county cricket and when he came back to the Pakistan team in October for the Australian home series, he was overweight and you could see he was now a declining force.
 
Waqar from the start of his career i.e. 1989 to Dec 31, 1998 had picked up 275 test wickets at a beastly average of 21.7, however from Jan 1, 1999 to the end of his career he picked up only 98 test wickets at an average of 29.15. From 1989 to Dec 31, 1998 he picked up 276 ODI wickets at an average of 22.92. From Jan 1, 1999 to the end of his career he picked up 133 ODI wickets at an average of 25.36

Wasim from the start of his career i.e. 1984 to Sept 1, 1998 had picked up 341 test wickets at an average of 22.59 and from Oct 1, 1998 to the end of his career had picked up 73 test wickets at an average of 28.39. In ODI's from 1984 to Sept 1, 1998 he picked up 356 ODI wickets at an average of 22.79. From Oct 1, 1998 to the end of his career he picked up 146 ODI wickets at an average of 25.31.

Wasim in comparison to Waqar looks good because of his economy rate. In ODI's if you arent getting wickets but are keeping things tight, you are having an impact.
 
Waqar from the start of his career i.e. 1989 to Dec 31, 1998 had picked up 275 test wickets at a beastly average of 21.7, however from Jan 1, 1999 to the end of his career he picked up only 98 test wickets at an average of 29.15. From 1989 to Dec 31, 1998 he picked up 276 ODI wickets at an average of 22.92. From Jan 1, 1999 to the end of his career he picked up 133 ODI wickets at an average of 25.36

Wasim from the start of his career i.e. 1984 to Sept 1, 1998 had picked up 341 test wickets at an average of 22.59 and from Oct 1, 1998 to the end of his career had picked up 73 test wickets at an average of 28.39. In ODI's from 1984 to Sept 1, 1998 he picked up 356 ODI wickets at an average of 22.79. From Oct 1, 1998 to the end of his career he picked up 146 ODI wickets at an average of 25.31.

Wasim in comparison to Waqar looks good because of his economy rate. In ODI's if you arent getting wickets but are keeping things tight, you are having an impact.

The stats are eerily similar towards the end of their careers

So i dont understand when people talk about waqars "decline" but talk as if wasim was great all the way That as the stats show isnt the casw

I disagree about economy Odis are not about economy but getting wickets And thats what waqar did Even when he went into decline he still got wickets Not as quick as before but still at a decent rate

The best bowlers in international cricket arent the ones with good economies but those like starc, boult rabada and cummins who are strike bowlers and take wickets just like waqar did
 
The stats are eerily similar towards the end of their careers

So i dont understand when people talk about waqars "decline" but talk as if wasim was great all the way That as the stats show isnt the casw

I disagree about economy Odis are not about economy but getting wickets And thats what waqar did Even when he went into decline he still got wickets Not as quick as before but still at a decent rate

The best bowlers in international cricket arent the ones with good economies but those like starc, boult rabada and cummins who are strike bowlers and take wickets just like waqar did

Stats are only one part of the equation. When you see both Wasim, Waqar bowl from 1999 to 2003 and compare it to before, most people will agree that Waqar was the one who had faded really badly whereas Wasim inspite of slowing down showed better control and economy rate. The other reason why Wasim has lesser wickets in test cricket compared to Waqar is because he eventually decided to quit playing test cricket by 2001.

Also lets be clear, Waqar from 1999 to 2003 was no where near Starc, Bolt, Rabada, Cummins
 
this is what post injury waqar was able to do to a high peak best batsmen legend of that time and perhaps in the top 5 of all time

<iframe width="975" height="731" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V5KODVPu0CA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It is a myth that waqar didnt have enough skills. Waqar could bowl inswing, outswing bouncers, slower ones. Nothing that wasim couldnt do.

But wasim was more of a media darling and he looked good on telly.

Remember this series very well. It was Akhtar's debut. Aamir Sohail was the skipper and in this series, Waqar had Lara's number

Not to forget, this is a new cherry, and Lara had hit Waqar for a couple of boundaries as well beforehand.

Wasim was good no doubt an absolute legend + was a very very decent bat. So an allround good cricketer, plus his cricketing sense was stronger too. But on bowling, Waqar I'd be lyhnched to say this, he was better than Waqar.

in 2003 WC vs India, Wasim and Waqar both on last legs. Everyone is getting smashed, IT was waqar that sold a dummy to Ganguly with a second slip and a big boomerang inswing LBW. Same with Sehwag.

His only blemish was 96 QF whereas Wasim in 92 in Final performed.
 
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Akram had plenty of poor high profile test series in his latter years Not much different to waqar

Australia home and away Wasim failed
England home and away Wasim failed

He was nowhere near the same bowler from 1997 onwards

Theres 2 series around 2001-2002 he was injured during games after a few overs of bowling and if he hadnt called it quits in tests around then he wouldve had plenty more poor series

Its a perception wasim was great throughout his career and not waqar probably because waqars pace declined a good 6-8 mph post 1995 and wasim dropped him around 1999 amid much publicity

whereas wasim was never dropped and never express anyway probably on avge was 2-3 mph slower so not signficant to the eye
 
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Because Waz was a left armer. Different angle. Better batsman too. A World Cup winner.
 
Wasim Akram was a better bowler than Waqar Younis. Wasim also accomplished more than Waqar (more wickets).
 
Regardless of opinions on who is better - the sight of seeing them together is amazing - even in a commentary box!

cdd01ac3-7ada-48b5-99d2-eabfb6869a5b.jpg
 
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