Wasim Akram names Australia’s Mitch Starc the second-best bowler in the past 20 years

Pakistan legend Wasim Akram, the greatest left-arm fast bowler to ever grace a cricket field, has heaped praise on Australia’s Mitchell Starc.

Mitchell Starc has been rated the second-best Test bowler of the past 20 years according to one of the greatest of all time.

Pakistan doyen Wasim Akram said since his retirement from international cricket in 2003, South African Dale Steyn is the best bowler he’s seen, followed by Starc.

It’s high praise from the greatest left-arm fast bowler to ever grace a cricket field and reinforces a belief that Starc has been hugely underrated for much of his career and is destined to go down as one of the best wicket-taking matchwinners to play the game.

As Starc prepares to take on Akram’s countrymen in Friday’s critical World Cup clash against Pakistan, he has been paid the ultimate compliment by a man who understands elite bowling better than almost anyone.

Wasim Akram in full flight.

“If I had to pick two or three bowlers since I retired, the first name that comes up is Dale Steyn and the second name that comes up is Mitchell Starc,” Akram told this masthead.

“He’s a matchwinner. He has evolved as a bowler and what I like about his mindset is he doesn’t go and play unnecessary league (T20 cricket) for lots of money.

“Players do that, and they should, but he’s focusing on being the greatest fast bowler.

“That’s a very different mindset in this day and age, especially from fast bowlers and that’s why he is, for me, one of the best bowlers in world cricket.

“Whenever he runs in, I stop everything and I just watch because I know something is going to happen when he’s bowling.”

Akram, who will be part of Fox Cricket’s coverage this summer when Pakistan tour Australia for three Test matches, described Starc as the perfect selection for any attack in any format of the game.

The big Australian left-armer has had a steady start to the tournament, but his record for dominating World Cups is almost second to none.

Akram calls Mitch Starc an ‘ideal bowler’. Picture: Arun Sankar/AFP

Australia and Pakistan’s World Cup semi-final hopes could hinge largely on what happens in Friday night’s blockbuster in Bangalore, and big wickets up from Starc could go a long way to deciding his team’s destiny.

Starc is often talked down for the runs he can leak on occasions, but Akram said those critics are missing the point of what makes the 33-year-old such a magician.

“He’s got pace, he’s got swing and he’s six foot six, he has extra bounce,” Akram said.

“He’s an ideal bowler to have in any side.

“He’s a matchwinner with the red ball and with the white ball. What I like about him is he goes for wickets.”

Akram has on brief occasions worked with or consulted with Starc over the years and has picked up one soft spot he believes could help Australia’s left-arm weapon become even more complete.

Akram said Daley Steyn is the best bowler he’s seen since his retirement. Picture: AP/ Themba Hadebe

Praising Starc for his dedication to Test cricket, to the point he has sacrificed over ten million dollars to not play in the IPL for the best part of a decade, Akram says it’s with the old ball that his star can rise even higher.

“What I would like to see with him now with reverse swing is he just bowls one away to the right-hander,” Akram said.

“I want him to learn to bring the ball back in when it’s reversing and he’ll get a lot more wickets.

“Just practice with your angles, with the wrist slightly wider, low arm action.

“He has focused on Test cricket and that’s why I think he will be recognised as a great of the game when he finishes.”

AKRAM

Tests 104, Wickets 414, Average 23.62, Strike Rate 54.6

ODIs 356, Wickets 502, Average 23.52, Strike Rate 36.2

STARC

Tests 82, Wickets 333, Average 27.60, Strike Rate 48.7

ODIs 114, Wickets 225, Average 22.30, Strike Rate 26.1

Originally published as Wasim Akram names Australia’s Mitch Starc the second-best bowler in the past 20 years