Pakistan legend takes to Twitter to express his appreciation for fans' support, but can't place himself ahead of Wasim
Waqar humbled by #ODIGOAT votes
Fast-bowling legend Waqar Younis has modestly suggested he was not worthy of defeating former teammate and fellow Pakistan great Wasim Akram in their #ODIGOAT match-up on cricket.com.au.
Hundreds of thousands of cricket fans have been casting their votes in the online knockout tournament designed to come up with the fans' No.1 ODI player of all time, whittled down from an initial 64, and Pakistani fans were split when Wasim and Waqar – such a potent combination with the swinging ball in their heyday – met in the round of 16.
Quick Single: Behaviour not a selection criteria: Akram
Almost 14,000 votes were registered in the pair’s online duel, with Waqar emerging triumphant with 57 per cent of voters selecting him as the superior ODI cricketer.
Waqar, a lightning-fast quick in his pomp who boasted perhaps the most devastating inswinging yorker of all time, responded to the poll via Twitter, saying he was no match for 1992 World Cup winner Wasim, who remains the only fast bowler to take 500 ODI wickets.
Appreciate all the votes for me but in my eyes there is no match @wasimakramlive was far better bowler than me. #ODIGOAT #respect
— waqar younis (@waqyounis99) May 5, 2016
Wasim sits second on the all-time ODI wicket-takers list, with 502, behind only Muthiah Muralitharan's 534. Waqar is next best with 416.
Waqar however, took 13 five-wicket hauls – the most in history – and his strike-rate of 30.5 is second only to Brett Lee among bowlers who have taken 300-plus wickets.
The #ODIGOAT is at its quarter-final stage, with Sachin Tendulkar yesterday knocking out West Indian Master Blaster Viv Richards to be the first man through to the semi-finals.
Tendulkar will now square off with the winner of Sanath Jayasuriya v Virat Kohli, a battle which is currently open for voting.
Quick Single: #ODIGOAT VOTE – Jayasuriya v Kohli
On the other side of the draw, Shane Warne and Kumar Sangakkara are also set to go head-to-head, while Waqar's next challenge is another Pakistani legend – none other than '92 World Cup winning captain Imran Khan.