Wasim Akram, the legendary Pakistan pacer, recently paid tribute to the late Australian spin great Shane Warne, expressing their close bond despite playing for different countries. Warne, who passed away in March 2022, was a close family friend of Akram’s Australian wife Shaniera Thompson. Akram, who married Shaniera in 2013, revealed another interesting connection: Warne had purchased a property from Akram’s in-laws, Tony Thompson and Greta, and lived in close proximity to his house.
Akram praised Warne’s exceptional skills as a bowler. Warne holds the world record for the second-most wickets in Test cricket, claiming 708 wickets in 145 matches. His ability to extract surreal amounts of spin from the surface made him a formidable opponent for batters. Akram also highlighted Warne’s passion for the game, his knowledge, and his energetic presence.
Beyond their cricketing prowess, Akram spoke about Warne’s off-field qualities. Warne, who captained the Rajasthan Royals to the inaugural Indian Premier League title in 2008, was an inspiring leader. Akram described Warne as a unique individual whose passion and energy were unmatched. Their friendship transcended the boundaries of the cricket field, leaving a lasting impact on Akram and the cricketing community.
