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Wasim Akram (Cricketer) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 17, 2026 • 4 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth3 June 1966

Age59 Years

BirthplaceLahore, Punjab, Pakistan

ProfessionFormer Pakistani Cricketer (Fast Bowler) and Coach, Cricket Commentator

NationalityPakistani

Marital statusMarried

SpouseShaniera Thompson

FamilyFather - Chaudhry Mohammad Akram; Mother - Begum Akram Chaudhry; Children - Aiyla, Tahmoor, Akbar

Net worth$23 million

Wasim Akram (Cricketer) Biography

Wasim Akram is a former Pakistani fast bowler widely regarded for his mastery of reverse swing and left-arm seam. Born in Lahore in 1966, he enjoyed a long

Early life and background

Wasim Akram was born on 3 June 1966 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. He grew up in Lahore and attended Islamia College, Lahore. Known early on by nicknames such as Waiz and the Sultan of Swing, Akram developed into a left-arm fast bowler whose ability to move the ball both conventionally and with reverse swing would define his international career.

Physical presence and playing style

Tall and athletic, Akram stands about 1.88 meters (6 feet 2 inches) and during his playing days weighed around 85 kg (194 lbs). He batted lower in the order but could contribute crucial runs, and his bowling combined pace, control and an exceptional feel for reverse swing. He preferred aggressive cricket on the field and often relished contests against traditional rivals.

Career

Akram made his international breakthrough in the mid-1980s. His One Day International debut came on 23 November 1984 against New Zealand in Faisalabad, and he made his Test debut on 25 January 1985 in Auckland. His performances in domestic first-class cricket, including a standout debut for a Pakistan Patrons XI in Rawalpindi in 1984 where he took seven wickets, helped establish him in the national side.

Over a career that lasted into the early 2000s, Akram became one of the sport’s most prolific bowlers. He took four international hat-tricks — two in Tests and two in ODIs — and amassed a record haul in World Cups, with 55 wickets in 38 matches. He was the first bowler to reach 500 wickets in ODIs and remains among the leading wicket-takers in Test cricket, with 414 Test wickets, the highest total ever by a left-arm bowler. With the bat he produced notable moments as well, including an unbeaten 257 against Zimbabwe in 1996 — the highest score ever recorded by a No. 8 in Test cricket.

Akram represented Pakistan domestically and had stints with county sides such as Lancashire and Hampshire. He wore the number 3 jersey for Pakistan and in county cricket. Influential figures in his development included senior players such as Javed Miandad and Imran Khan, and the pace duo he formed with Waqar Younis became one of the most feared partnerships in world cricket, despite reports of a competitive rivalry off the field.

He announced his retirement from international cricket after the 2003 World Cup. Although he never played an international T20 match, he did appear in a handful of county T20 fixtures for Hampshire, taking eight wickets across five matches.

Records and achievements

Akram’s list of accomplishments is extensive. In addition to his four international hat-tricks and World Cup wicket record, he finished with the distinction of being the first to 500 ODI wickets and is among the top wicket-takers in Test history. He collected 17 Man of the Match awards during his international career and is widely remembered for mastering reverse swing, a skill he often cited as his preferred technique.

Public profile

Off the field, Akram’s life has included public personal milestones and challenges. He married Huma in 1995; she died in 2009. In August 2013 he married Shaniera Thompson from Australia. He has three children: two sons, Tahmoor and Akbar, and a daughter, Aiyla. Akram established The Akram Foundation and has been involved in charitable work.

Health and personal challenges have been part of his public story. He has lived with diabetes since around age 30. In interviews and in his memoir, he has spoken candidly about struggles in the years after his playing career.

Latest updates

In recent years Akram has continued to appear in media and public events. In October 2022 he discussed his memoir titled Sultan: A Memoir and reflected publicly on personal issues that followed his retirement. Media reports note moments from 2024 and 2025 that kept him in the headlines: a public exchange relating to comments about a fellow cricketer in March 2024, and the unveiling in June 2025 of a statue in his honor at Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad, Pakistan, which drew critical commentary on its likeness.

Legacy

Wasim Akram’s influence on fast bowling is widely acknowledged: his command of reverse swing, his left-arm angle and his achievements across formats place him among Pakistan’s greatest cricketers. His records, landmark performances and long-standing role in the game — as player, coach and commentator — have ensured a prominent and enduring presence in cricketing history.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Wasim Akram (Cricketer), send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

Sultan: A Memoir

Memoir discussed publicly in October 2022 where Akram reflected on his post-retirement life.

2022
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Career Highlights

  1. Made ODI debut on 23 November 1984 vs New Zealand
  2. Made Test debut on 25 January 1985 vs New Zealand
  3. Retired from international cricket after the 2003 World Cup
  4. First bowler to reach 500 ODI wickets
  5. 55 wickets in World Cup matches (most by any player at the time)
  6. 414 Test wickets — most by any left-arm bowler
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Net Worth

$23 million

Figures are editorial estimates based on publicly available reporting and may change as new information emerges.

Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Wasim Akram (Cricketer) born?

Wasim Akram (Cricketer) was born on 3 June 1966.

What is Wasim Akram (Cricketer) known for?

Wasim Akram (Cricketer) is known for former Pakistani Cricketer (Fast Bowler) and Coach, Cricket Commentator.

What is Wasim Akram (Cricketer)’s marital status?

Wasim Akram (Cricketer)'s marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Wasim Akram (Cricketer) married to?

Wasim Akram (Cricketer) is publicly listed as married to Shaniera Thompson.

What is Wasim Akram (Cricketer)’s net worth?

Wasim Akram (Cricketer)'s net worth is commonly listed as $23 million, based on available public profile information.