Watch: Wasim Akram produced a masterclass on reverse swing in this ODI from the early 2000s to nearly rock New Zealand’s boat in a regulation run chase.
Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match awards, player interviews, analysis and much more.
Chasing 286 for a win in this Dunedin ODI from 2001, New Zealand were breezing through the run-chase after a hundred from Nathan Astle. With 23 needed off 42 balls, Akram started reversing the old ball viciously to square the batsmen up.
In what was a riveting spell of fast bowling, the left-arm quick gave little away as the equation reduced to 16 needed off 24 balls with his two overs leaking just four runs. New Zealand went on to win the match, but Akram’s spell made for a highlights reel as he made the Kiwis batsmen dance to his tunes.
Watch the death overs spell with the old ball here:
The don’t make them like this anymore. Wasim bhai reverse swinging it round corners @wasimakramlive pic.twitter.com/FusaDAwh8O
— Waqas Ahmed (@ahmedwaqas992) May 15, 2021
The video, shared on Twitter recently, sparked a discussion on the usage of two new balls in an ODI. At the time this particular game was played, only one ball was used in an entire ODI innings, bringing reverse swing, and the bowlers as such, more into play in the death overs.
Ravichandran Ashwin too shared the video, hailing the Pakistani seamer as ‘king’.
Hello white ball 💭💭!! Where are you these days?? That’s the 44 th over and reverse swing at it’s best from the king @wasimakramlive 👏👏 https://t.co/PcgXEtOkwj
— Mask up and take your vaccine🙏🙏🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) May 15, 2021
