To those of us who watched cricket in the 1980s and 90s, Wasim Akram appeared to be a magician in the disguise of a fast bowler. So spellbinding was the left-armer’s artistry, hooping the ball in either direction at will and bewitching opponents and onlookers alike.

The poetry of his bowling action was symbolised by a scurrying burst into his delivery stride and a quick-arm release that gave the batters little clue of their impending doom. Once the ball – new or old -- left his hand, with the seam canted perfectly to procure swing, it would invariably do some mischief to hoodwink the batter at the opposite end.

The wizardry was best encapsulated by Wasim’s sublime show in the 1992 ODI World Cup final, when he followed up an outswinger to Allan Lamb from around the wicket with an inswinge

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