Former Pakistan captain and fast bowling legend Wasim Akram has revealed that he was addicted to Cocaine. The 1992 World Cup-winner said this in an interview to the Times, according to a BBC report. Akram said that he has made these revelations in his new autobiography that is soon to be released.

Also Read: Most Wickets in Test Cricket

Apart from playing a crucial role in Pakistan winning the 1992 World Cup, he also captained his country to the final of the 1999 ICC World Cup. He is widely regarded as the best left-arm fast bowler to have played the game.

The 56-year-old said that he started using Cocaine while working as a television pundit around the world. Notably, Akram's first wife Huma died in 2009 from a rare fungal infection.

"The culture of fame in south Asia is all consuming, seductive and corrupting. You can go to 10 parties a night, and some do. And it took its toll on me. Huma's last selfless, unconscious act was curing me of my drug problem. That way of life was over, and I have never looked back."

BBC.co.uk quoted Akram as saying to The Times

Akram revealed that he at first tried to keep this part of his life a secret from his first wife Huma.

"It started innocuously enough when I was offered a line at a party in England. My use grew steadily more serious, to the point that I felt I needed it to function.

"Huma, I know, was often lonely in this time, she would talk of her desire to move to Karachi, to be nearer her parents and siblings. I was reluctant.

Read Also: Most Test wickets by pacers in away tests

"Why? Partly because I liked going to Karachi on my own, pretending it was work when it was actually about partying, often for days at a time," Akram was quoted as saying.

Akram represented Pakistan in 104 Tests, picking up 414 wickets, which remains the highest for a Pakistani bowler. He also picked 502 wickets in 356 ODIs.

Cricket is a game played in partnership. No matter how good you are, you can not survive without a partner at the non-striker end. Therefore, cricketers form bonds that extend beyond the cricket field and last a lifetime. On this Friendship Day, we bring you the 5 best cricketing friendships in cricket history.

5 best cricketing friendships in cricket history

#1 Sachin Tendulkar & Sourav Ganguly

Well, if you talk about partnerships in cricket and do not talk about Sachin and Sourav, you are doing a sin. The Indian pair is one of the most successful opening pairs in cricket history. Their cricketing friendship dates back to U-17 days. Sourav and Sachin met each other there and toured with the India U-17 team. Although Sachin went on to represent India at a very young age, their friendship remained the same.

Read Also: Sourav Ganguly Records

In fact, it was Sachin and Sourav who transformed the Indian team post the match-fixing scandal. They both scored 6609 runs as an opening pair in ODI cricket, which is a record in itself. Also, they scored the most number of hundred-run partnerships in ODI cricket, with 21 as an opening pair and 26 overall.

They scored 8227 ODI runs as a pair in ODI cricket, a record that might not be broken ever.

#2 Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene

These two Sri Lankan stalwarts dominated world cricket as a pair throughout their career. In fact, they were the only reason, along with Muralitharan, that Sri Lanka ruled cricket in the mid-2000s. Sri Lanka became unbeatable on their home soil on the banks of partnerships of Sanga and Mahela.

Read Also: Most international sixes in Cricket by Captains

They both piled up runs with ease in international cricket. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene scored 6554 runs together in test cricket, which is only second to Dravid and Tendulkar's 6920 runs. Their 624-run partnership against South Africa in 2006 is still the highest at any batting position in test cricket.

Kumar and Mahela now own restaurants together. Also, they are trying to help Sri Lankan cricket get back on their feet.

Read Also: Top 10 teams with the most wins in T20I cricket

#3 Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath

Probably the greatest bowling pair in cricket history, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath played together and ended their cricket careers together. Perhaps it was because of them that Australia would win against any opposition and at any place.

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to dust, If McGrath can't get you, Warne must.

This old saying about Warne and McGrath reveals their greatness. Moreover, it talks about how they used to hunt in pairs. Though Warne was a bit flamboyant in his life, this duo's cricketing friendship ended many batsmen's careers. Warne is the highest wicket-taker in Ashes history with 195 wickets, while McGrath is the second highest with 157 wickets. They both played 104 Tests in tandem and took 1,011 wickets. In fact, Wisden has stated them to be the greatest bowling pair of all time.

Read Also: Most Wickets in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup

#4 AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn

The only batting-bowling pair on our special list of best cricketing friendships. Dale Styen and AB de Villiers started their career together and literally made South Africa the best cricket team in the world. 

Though the pair could not win any major ICC trophies for South Africa, they were the best Test team in the world during their time. Steyn finished his career as the highest test wicket-taker for South Africa (439), beating Shaun Pollock's record of 421 test wickets. Meantime, AB Deviliers is known as one of the most complete batters ever.

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Read Also: Most Sixes in International Cricket History | Top 25 Batters

#5 Waqar Yunis and Wasim Akram

Waqar and Wasim are probably the most lethal bowling pair in modern cricket. The duo from Pakistan dominated the world with sheer pace and swing. Perhaps, Waqar is said to be the best reverse-swing bowler ever, while Wasim Akram is said to be the "sultan of swing" (king of swing).

If Waqar could break your toes, Wasim could too. They both complemented each other so well that they took 500 test wickets in 61 test matches together. They are both probably the best pacers that Pakistan has ever produced.

Read Also: Fastest to complete 200 Test wickets by balls bowled

Wasim finished as the bowler with the most wickets in ODI cricket, alongside being the highest wicket-taker in international cricket as a left-arm pacer.

Other than these pairs, the world has seen many great friendships like Virat-ABD, Bravo-Pollard, Dravid-Kumble and Smith-Marnus over the years. We have chosen the best from 5 separate countries.

Note: The article was first published on Aug 1, 2021 and then got updated over time.

Many players have performed brilliantly in their home conditions. But there are also quite some players who have also performed well in away test matches. Be it a batsman or a bowler, performing outside the home is a tough job to do for any player at the international level.

In this article, we will take a look at the top 7 pacers who have taken the most Test wickets in away test matches.

Read Also: Most International Wickets for India (Pacers)

7. Kapil Dev | 215 wickets

Former Indian skipper Kapil Dev has scalped 215 away wickets in his Test career. Therefore, he comes at number seven on this list of bowlers to take the most Test wickets by pacers in away tests.

Overall, in Tests, Kapil Dev has aggregated 5248 runs at an average of 31.05 and 434 wickets with an average of 29.34. Kapil Dev has also scalped 23 fifers and two 10-fers during his test career.

Also Read: Most Test wickets as captain

6. Malcolm Marshall | 219 wickets

Former West Indies legend Malcolm Marshall scalped 219 wickets in his away test matches. Therefore, the former pacer comes at the sixth on this list of bowlers with the most wickets in away tests.

In Tests, Marshall has scalped 376 wickets with a brilliant average of 20.85. Malcolm Marshall has also registered 22 fifers and three 10-fers in his Test career.

5. Sir Richard Hadlee | 230 wickets

Former New Zealand pacer Sir Richard Hadlee has scalped 230 wickets in his away test matches. That's why Hadlee comes the fifth place on this list of bowlers with the most wickets in away tests.

In Tests, Hadlee has scalped 431 wickets in 150 innings with an impressive average of 22.3. Sir Richard Hadlee has also registered 36 fifers and nine 10-fers in his Test career.

Read Also: Most Test Runs in Cricket History (Men's)

4. James Anderson | 244 wickets

England pacer James Anderson surpassed Richard Hadlee and entered top four, scalping 244 away test wickets in his Test career. That's why Anderson comes at number four on this list. 

Anderson has taken 704 wickets in 350 innings in his Test career. Anderson has bowled with an average of 26.45. Meanwhile, Anderson has also scalped 32 fifers and three 10-fers in his Test career.

3. Wasim Akram | 255 wickets

Former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has scalped 255 away wickets in his Test career. In Tests, Akram has scalped 414 wickets in 181 innings with an average of 23.62. Wasim Akram has also registered 25 fifers and five 10-fer in his Test career.

Also Read: Most Wickets in Tests by left-arm seamers

2. Glenn McGrath | 260 wickets

Former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath has scalped 260 test wickets in his away tests. That's why he comes at the second spot on this list of bowlers with the most wickets in away tests.

In Tests, McGrath has scalped 563 wickets in 243 innings with an impressive average of 21.64. McGrath has also registered 29 fifers and three 10-fers in his Test career.

1. Courtney Walsh | 290 wickets

West Indies legendary pacer Sir Courtney Walsh has topped this list of bowlers with the most test wickets in away matches. Walsh has scalped 290 wickets in his away test matches. So, therefore he is the highest wicket-taker in the away test matches.

In 132 Tests, the right-arm fast bowler has scalped 519 wickets with an impressive average of 24.45. Meanwhile, Sir Courtney Walsh has also registered 22 fifers and three 10-fers in his Test career.

Read Also: Test Record: Highest individual score by any batter in an innings in Test

N.B: The stats are accurate as of 31/07/2025.

The hashtag #BoycottAsiaCup is trending on X (formerly Twitter) as Indian cricket fans and social media users express outrage over India’s scheduled match against Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup. The tournament is set to take place from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, with India and Pakistan placed in the same group and likely to face each other up to a possible three times during the event.

The backlash boosted following the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025, which claimed 26 civilian lives, and India’s subsequent military response, Operation Sindoor. Many Indian fans see the decision to play Pakistan as insensitive and accuse the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of prioritising commercial attractions over national sentiment. This has led to calls for the BCCI to boycott the Asia Cup to uphold a stance against Pakistan's involvement amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Enough of this nonsense. #BoycottAsiaCup https://t.co/onAFIGwMju

— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) July 26, 2025

Criticism has also targeted Indian players and officials for inconsistency, such as their boycott of a recent World Championship of Legends match against Pakistan, but their willingness to play in the Asia Cup. The controversy reflects the wider debate about whether sports should remain separate from political issues between the two nations.

If Terror and Talks Can’t go Together then Terror and Cricket can’t go together. #BoycottAsiaCup #BoycottBCCI pic.twitter.com/sbPzjXOHMH

— BRADDY (@braddy_Codie05) July 26, 2025

Asia Cup 2025 full schedule

In the realm of cricket, leadership is not only about guiding the team but also about leading by example. Captaining a team in Test matches adds an extra layer of responsibility, requiring the ability to inspire and strategize while maintaining individual performance. Captains who can inspire their team through their own performances hold a special place in the annals of cricket history. One of the most significant measures of a captain's impact is their ability to take wickets in Test matches, the pinnacle of the sport.

Let's explore the elite group of bowlers who have not only captained their sides but also have most Test wickets as captain.

Also Read: Most 5 wicket hauls in Test Cricket

Most Test wickets as captain

1. Imran Khan | 187 Wickets

Imran Khan, a charismatic leader and an exceptional all-rounder has the most Test wickets as captain. He captained Pakistan from the early 1980s to the early 1990s. Imran was a renowned sportsman who not only led Pakistan to a World Cup victory but also set an example of ideals for all youngsters to aspire to. He was one of the finest captains of his time.

Imran Khan has got 187 wickets in 48 Test matches in his 21 years of Test career (1971-1992) as captain. He has a total of 362 Test wickets on his name for Pakistan. Imran Khan has the second-best Test figure in this list of best Test captains. 

2. Pat Cummins | 145 Wickets

Pat Cummins joined the elite list of most Test wickets as captain. He has also surpassed Richie Benaud to become the second captain to pick most Test wickets. This also makes him the leading wicket-taker among Australian captains.

Cummins has now taken 145 wickets so far in 37 Test matches as captain at an impressive average of 22.66 with nine five-wicket hauls. The World Cup-winning captain also became the first-ever cricketer to take 100 Test wickets as a captain in the ICC World Test Championship history. Cummins has taken 309 Test wickets at an average of 22.10 so far and is Australia's highest-ranked bowler in the ICC Test bowling standings.

3. Richie Benaud | 138 Wickets

Richie Benaud, who is best remembered as one of Australia's most-imaginative captains, occupies the 2nd spot in terms of taking the most Test wickets as captain, with 138 Test wickets in 28 games. He served as captain of the Australian national team from 1958 to 1963, during which time Australia never lost a Test (international) series.

Benaud first appeared in Test matches in 1951. He developed a reputation as a fine leg-spin bowler as well as an excellent batsman and fielder. He also became known for his intelligent and energetic play.

4. Garfield Sobers | 117 Wickets

Garfield Sobers aka Sir Garry Sobers is considered to be one of the greatest batsmen after Sir Don Bradman and the greatest All Rounder of all time. Garry took 117 wickets of his 39 Test matches as captain. They are the 3rd most behind Imran Khan's 187 and Richie Benaud's 138. 

Garry Sobers holds the record for bowling most number of balls as a captain in Tests. He bowled 10860 balls as a captain. Only other captain to bowl 10000 or more balls is Richie Benaud who bowled 10720 balls.

Also Read: Most sixes in a Test innings

5. Daniel Vettori | 116 Wickets

Former New Zealand left-arm spinner, Daniel Vettori has the fourth most Test wickets as captain. Vettori made his first appearance in Test cricket in 1997 against England. As captain, Vettori took 116 Test wickets at an average of 33.38, and hit four centuries and nine fifties to aggregate 1917 runs.

Under the left-arm spinner, New Zealand have won just six Tests, with four of them coming against Bangladesh, and one each against England and Pakistan, apart from 18 defeats and 13 draws. In the 13 series that Vettori led, New Zealand lost on nine occasions.

6. Kapil Dev | 111 Wickets

Kapil Dev occupies the 5th spot in terms of taking the most Test wickets as captain. He was the first Indian Captain who won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1983. Kapil is one of the legendary cricketers India have ever produced. Before Kapil Dev's era, cricket was a low-profile game in India with a limited audience. He brought a revolution in Indian cricket through his captaincy.

Kapil Dev led the Indian Test team in 34 matches where he picked 111 Test wickets. He also has overall 434 Test wickets to his name in just 131 Test Matches for India. Every Indian cricket fan was impressed with the one-man show skill that Kapil presented through his bowling, batting, and captaincy. His services as one of the best all-rounders in cricket would be remembered forever.

7. Wasim Akram | 107 Wickets

We all know how good of a player Wasim Akram was during his cricketing days. One of the greatest bowlers of his generation and some say he was the greatest left-arm fast bowler in the history of cricket. The Sultan of swing, the king of reverse swing, and the hero of the 1992 world cup final, Wasim Akram was a trademark fast bowler throughout his career.

Wasim Akram took over the Test captaincy from Javed Miandad in 1993. He captained Pakistan in 25 Tests and took 107 wickets at an average of 23.36. Wasim was also known as a very aggressive and confrontational captain on the field.

8. Bishan Singh Bedi | 106 Wickets

Known for his outspokenness, late cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi occupies the 7th spot in terms of taking the most Test wickets as captain. Bedi was widely known as one of the greatest spinners produced by India who played international cricket.

Bedi, famous for his outstanding accuracy and spin bowling, picked up 266 wickets in Test cricket at an average of 28.71 with 14 five-wicket hauls. The left-arm spinner also claimed seven wickets in the 50-over format. Out of the 266 Test wickets, Bedi bagged 106 of those as captain, having led the Indian team in 22 Tests.

Also Read: Fastest to 500 Test Wickets

9. Shaun Pollock | 103 Wickets

South Africa has produced some magnificent talents in world cricket's history. Among those superb talents, there was another such diamond that waited for its turn to shine, Shaun Pollock. Pollock is the first South African to take 400 wickets. Even the greatest of all time Sachin Tendulkar went cautious while facing him.

Pollock was the captain when South Africa suffered an ignominious exit from the 2003 World Cup, which was held in their country. Pollock played 82 Tests as a player, taking 318 wickets at an average of 23.68, with 12 five-wicket hauls and a best of 7/87. While Pollock played 26 Tests as captain, taking 103 wickets at an average of 21.36, with 4 five-wicket hauls and a best of 6/30.

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The Bangladesh vs Pakistan T20I series is all set to start from 20th July 2025. The 3-match T20I series will be played in Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Before the series starts, we present you with the list of players with the most T20I runs for Bangladesh against Pakistan.

Most T20I runs for Bangladesh against Pakistan

Currently, Shakib-Al-Hasan leads the chart of players with the most T20I runs for Bangladesh against Pakistan. Not only that, Shakib is also the Bangladeshi batter with the most T20I runs for the Tigers. 

#5 Mohammed Nazimuddin | 123 runs

• 2 matches
• 123 runs
• 61.50 avg.
• 125.51 strike-rate

Nazimuddin, who played only two T20I games for Bangladesh against Pakistan way back in 2007-08, has scored 123 runs with a stunning average of 61.50. 

Interestingly, despite performing well in that Pakistan tour of Bangladesh in 2008, he was dropped from the T20I side and never played in that format for his country. 

The right-handed top-order batter even scored a fifty in his two games for Bangladesh against Pakistan. His career-best of 81 also came against Pakistan. Due to his competition with other opening batters and a slow strike-rate, he could not find a place in the team.

Read Also | Soumya Sarkar Breaks Sachin Tendulkar's 14-Year-Old Record In 2nd ODI vs New Zealand

 #4 Afif Hossain | 186 runs

• 9 matches
• 186 runs
• 23.25 avg.
• 109.41 strike-rate

The left-handed batter scored 186 runs in 9 matches for Bangladesh against Pakistan. 

Although he has already played 70 T20I matches for the Tigers, he has not been able to do justice to the talent he has. Hossain first played against Pakistan in 2020 and last played in the Asian Games 2024. 

 #3 Litton Das | 210 runs

• 8 matches
• 210 runs
• 26.25 avg.
• 131.25 strike-rate

The current Bangladeshi T20I captain, Litton Das, has done well in the chances he got against Pakistan. The flamboyant top-order batter has scored 210 runs in 8 matches against Pakistan at a strike-rate of 131.25. 

Litton has also hit a fifty against Pakistan in Christchurch in 2022 during the T20I tri-series between them and hosts New Zealand. 

In the upcoming BAN vs PAK T20I series, Das will get his chances to increase the number of runs. 

#2 Tamim Iqbal | 235 runs

• 11 matches
• 235 runs
• 21.36 avg.
• 120.51 strike-rate

There are hardly any T20I stats for Bangladesh where Tamim Iqbal does not appear. The former left-handed opener and part of the 'Golden era' of Bangladesh cricket, scored 235 runs in 11 matches for Bangladesh against Pakistan. 

He was the first Bangladeshi batter to score a T20I hundred. 

From 2007 to 2020, Tamim scored at a 120.51 strike rate against Pakistan, which is higher than his career T20I strike rate of 116.96. His only fifty against Pakistan came in his last inning against the neighbours in Lahore in 2020.

Read Also | Who scored the fastest century in T20 World Cups?

#1 Shakib-Al-Hasan | 360 runs

• 11 matches
• 360 runs
• 40 avg.
• 132.35 strike-rate

Probably the greatest Bangladeshi player, Shakib-Al-Hasan, has always proved himself against better opponents. The left-handed all-rounder has scored the most T20I runs for Bangladesh against Pakistan.

Not only that, his 2551 T20I runs are also a record for any Bangladeshi batter. 

In 11 matches against Pakistan, Shakib scored 360 runs, including four fifties, at an outstanding average of 40.00. He also had a strike rate of 132.35 against the Pakistani team. 

In fact, Shakib has scored the most T20I runs against Pakistan in his career.