Sultan: A Memoir

Description

Sultan is the official biography of Wasim Akram, the "sultan of swing", one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of cricket. For twenty years, Wasim Akram let his cricket do the talking - his electrifying left-arm pace, his explosive left-handed striking, his leadership and his inspiration. For another twenty years he kept his own counsel about those days, full of drama, controversy and even mystery, in a country, Pakistan, that to outsiders is a constant enigma. Until now. Sultan tells the story of cricket's greatest left-arm bowler, and one of its greatest survivors, who was chosen from the streets of Lahore and groomed by Imran Khan to become champion of the world - man of the match in the final of the 1992 World Cup. Along the way were unforgettable rivalries with the greatest of his time, from Viv Richards and Ian Botham to Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne. Along the way, too, a backdrop of conspiracy and intrigue over ball tampering and match fixing about which Wasim finally sets the story straight. But there's more: Sultan goes frankly into the crumbling and rebuilding of Wasim's private life, marred by the tragedy of his first wife's death and the torment of addiction. The result is an unprecedented insight into the life of a cricketer who revolutionised the game with his speed and swing, and a patriot buoyed and burdened by the expectation of one of the game's most fanatical publics.

Wasim Akram is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of cricket. A former Pakistan cricket captain, he remains popular throughout the cricketing world and often commentates for world cricket events. Akram holds the world record for most wickets in List A cricket, with 881, and he is second only to Sri Lankan off-spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of ODI wickets. He is considered to be one of the founders, and perhaps the finest exponent of, reverse swing bowling and is often referred to as the "Sultan of Swing". In 2009, Akram was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. In October 2013, Wasim Akram was the only Pakistani cricketer to be named in a Wisden all-time Test World XI to mark the 150th anniversary of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. Written with the help of award winning writer, Gideon Haigh, described by The Guardian's Richard Williams as 'the most gifted cricket essayist of his generation'. Gideon Haigh has been a journalist for almost four decades, published more than 40 books and contributed to more than 100 newspapers and magazines.

'He is a giant of our game.' - Pat Cummins 'Not only a great bloke but probably the greatest left arm quick the cricket world has seen.' - Allan Border 'Wasim Akram is one of the true greats of world cricket.' - Mitchell Starc 'History will judge him as one of the finest fast bowlers the game has produced.' - Steve Waugh 'Wasim ranks among those at the very top of cricket.' - Anil Kumble 'He was the most brilliant, inventive left-arm fast bowler the game as known.' - Mike Atherton 'I'm often asked 'what is your all-time greatest team?' I start with Akram and go from there.' - David Lloyd 'Wasim and Lancashire is a long love affair. Teammates loved him; supporters loved him. He loved them back. Our games were never over until Wasim had bowled his last ball.' - Neil Fairbrother 'Wasim was one of the greatest fast bowlers I have ever seen - a fantastic all rounder - one of the all-time greats.' - Nasser Hussain 'Great cricketers still marvel at the wonder of Wasim.' - Alan Wilkins 'Easily one of the most skilful bowlers I have played against and a tough competitor.' - Rahul Dravid 'Wasim was a master. He made the ball talk.' - Sachin Tendulkar