Sporting icons : Waqar Younis - Pakistani fast bowling reverse swing superstar - Career HLs video

Waqar Younis, born on November 16, 1971, in Vehari, Punjab, Pakistan, is one of cricket's greatest fast bowlers. Renowned for his lethal pace and reverse swing, Waqar was a key figure in Pakistan's cricketing history. Nicknamed the "Burewala Express," he formed one of the most formidable bowling partnerships with Wasim Akram. He was known for his toe-crushing yorkers and ability to extract movement even on lifeless pitches.

Style of Play

Bowling: A right-arm fast bowler with a deadly inswinging yorker and exceptional ability to reverse swing the ball. His bowling was aggressive and aimed at intimidating batsmen.

Batting: A right-handed lower-order batsman, Waqar occasionally contributed valuable runs.

Records and Statistics

Test Cricket:

Matches: 87

Wickets: 373

Bowling Average: 23.56

Best Bowling: 7/76

Five-wicket Hauls: 22

Ten-wicket Hauls: 5

ODI Cricket:

Matches: 262

Wickets: 416

Bowling Average: 23.84

Best Bowling: 7/36 (one of the best figures in ODIs)

Five-wicket Hauls: 13 (record at the time of his retirement)

First-Class Career:

Matches: 228

Wickets: 956

Bowling Average: 22.33

Career Highlights

1. Early Stardom: Waqar made an immediate impact on his Test debut in 1989 against India, claiming 4 wickets, including the scalp of a young Sachin Tendulkar.

2. World Cup Performances: A key figure for Pakistan in multiple World Cups, his reverse swing made him a deadly threat during the death overs.

3. Fastest to 300 Wickets: He became the youngest and fastest bowler to take 300 ODI wickets.

4. Captaincy: Waqar captained Pakistan in 17 Tests and 62 ODIs, emphasizing aggressive cricket and leading the team to several notable victories.

5. Record-Breaking Partnership: Alongside Wasim Akram, he terrorized batsmen worldwide, forming a legendary duo known for their mastery of reverse swing.

Major Bowling Spells

7/36 vs England, Leeds, 2001: A masterclass in swing bowling, where Waqar single-handedly dismantled England in an ODI.

6/59 vs New Zealand, Wellington, 1994: A devastating spell showcasing his ability to dominate with pace and movement.

5/25 vs South Africa, Sharjah, 1996: A performance that highlighted his skill in the shorter format during high-pressure games.

Legacy

Waqar Younis revolutionized fast bowling with his reverse swing mastery and yorker precision. He retired as one of the most feared bowlers, holding numerous records and accolades. After his playing career, he contributed to cricket as a coach and commentator, mentoring the next generation of Pakistani bowlers.

His aggression, resilience, and unmatched skills have left an indelible mark on cricket, inspiring countless fast bowlers globally. Waqar remains a symbol of excellence in pace bowling and a legend in the sport.

In the below video watch some of Waqar Younis's trademark reverse swinging yorkers .