I know how to get Misbah-ul-Haq in four balls: Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram, the former Pakistan fast bowler, once claimed that he could dismiss Misbah-ul-Haq in four deliveries. The claims were put forth by Hassan Cheema, the Strategy Manager of the Islamabad United. Akram hung his boots back in 2003, but remains to be Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker with over 900 scalps. He is also the only fast bowler with 400 plus wickets in ODIs and T20Is.

Cheema revealed Akram’s words while speaking to England fast bowler Steve Finn on The United’s YouTube Channel on Thursday, June 4. He recalled that Akram made the claims during one of United’s training session at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Academy in Dubai.

“Why doesn’t Finn get him [Misbah] out every other ball? He is a four-ball batsman. I know how to get him out in four balls,” Wasim was quoted as saying by Cheema.

Wasim Akram was shining the ball perfectly, recalls Finn

Finn played for the United in the second and third edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). During the same practice session, Finn was left awestruck after Wasim managed to generate some prodigious swing.

“You remember he bowled in that training session as well. Everyone talks about the white ball not swinging these days. I watched him for about an hour. He was shining this ball perfectly and then swung pretty much every ball either way he wanted. So, they do swing,” Finn said.

Akram, who turned 54 earlier this week, is the only bowler with four hat-tricks in international cricket- two each in ODIs and Tests. The left-armer is one of the very reasons why the Pakistan bowling attack was deemed to be the strongest around the world. He has also worked as the bowling coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

As far as Finn is concerned, he has shone for the Three Lions as well. In 36 Tests, 69 ODIs and 21 T20Is, the speedster picked up 125, 102 and 27 wickets respectively. He also picked up a hat-trick against Australia in the 2015 World Cup, but his efforts went in vain. Finn hasn’t played international cricket since May 2017.