As cricket fans brace themselves for yet another electrifying showdown between India and Pakistan, all eyes are set on Dubai, where the two arch-rivals will meet in the fifth match of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy on February 23. With India coming off a dominant six-wicket victory over Bangladesh and Pakistan suffering a 60-run loss to New Zealand in their opening game, the stakes are higher than ever.
Beyond the fierce competition and high-pressure encounters, the India-Pakistan rivalry has been defined by some of the finest bowlers to have ever played the game. Over the decades, legendary pacers and spinners from both the sides have left an indelible mark with their exceptional performances.
Here’s a list of the Indian and Pakistani bowlers who took most wickets in India-Pakistan clashes:
1. Wasim Akram (Pakistan):
At the top of the list is Pakistan’s Wasim Akram, a true icon of fast bowling. With 60 wickets in 48 ODIs against India, the left-arm maestro tormented Indian batters with his lethal swing and pinpoint accuracy, maintaining an impressive economy of 3.73.
2. Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan):
Following closely is former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who claimed 57 wickets in 36 ODIs, averaging 24.38, making him a crucial force in Pakistan’s bowling arsenal.
3. Aaqib Javed (Pakistan):
Another Pakistani great, Aaqib Javed, stands third in this elite list. Now serving as Pakistan’s interim head coach, Javed took 54 wickets in 39 ODIs against India. His career-best spell of 7/37 in the 1991 Wills Trophy final remains one of the most memorable bowling performances in the history of the rivalry.
4. Anil Kumble (India):
India’s legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble finds himself among the top wicket-takers, having scalped 54 wickets in 34 ODIs against Pakistan. His economy rate of 4.29 underlines his ability to contain runs while dismantling batting line-ups.
5. Javagal Srinath (India):
Sharing the same wicket tally, India’s renowned fast bowler Javagal Srinath took 54 wickets in 36 ODIs, with a standout performance of 4/49 during the 2000 Carlton and United Series.
Among the current generation of bowlers, only India’s Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav have made an impact in this storied rivalry. Both have taken 12 wickets against Pakistan, with Kuldeep achieving the feat in just six matches at an impressive economy rate of 3.77.
As the two cricketing giants prepare for their next chapter in this epic saga, the battle between bat and ball will once again take center stage. Will a new name be added to the list of legendary wicket-takers, or will history repeat itself? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—the India-Pakistan rivalry never fails to deliver.
