Key points
- Lockie Ferguson named his dream Test pace attack
- The Kiwi quick excluded Indian bowlers
- Pakistan’s Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar earned spots
- Full lineup includes Shane Bond, Mitchell Johnson, Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram, and Curtly Ambrose
ISLAMABAD: The New Zealand speedster, Lockie Ferguson, known for rattling batsmen with his thunderbolts, recently revealed his personal list of the top five Test bowlers, and it’s a fiery lineup made up of legends who terrorised batters across generations.
In an interview with an Indian media platform, Ferguson named his ultimate five-man pace dream team with a notable absence: no Indian bowler made the list.
“Shane Bond, Mitchell Johnson, Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram, and Curtly Ambrose,” Ferguson declared, citing their blistering speed, unrelenting aggression, and match-winning brilliance.
This blend of fury and finesse includes two Pakistani names – Shoaib Akhtar and Wasim Akram, both considered cornerstones of Pakistan’s rich fast bowling heritage.
A nod to Pakistan’s finest
Wasim Akram, nicknamed the “Sultan of Swing,” is no stranger to such accolades. The left-arm maestro remains one of the most complete fast bowlers the game has ever seen – with 414 Test wickets and a staggering 502 ODI scalps, he’s still second on the all-time ODI wicket-takers list. His artistry with the old ball, especially in reverse swing, was pure theatre.
Shoaib Akhtar, the “Rawalpindi Express,” brought raw velocity into the spotlight. He holds the record for the fastest delivery in cricket history – 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) – and was feared for his toe-crushing yorkers and searing bouncers. Akhtar ended his career with 178 Test wickets and 247 in ODIs, leaving behind a legacy of pace and passion.
Legends among legends
Ferguson’s list also honours Shane Bond, his fellow Kiwi and mentor, known for his short but impactful career; Mitchell Johnson, Australia’s left-arm menace who destroyed England and South Africa in their own backyards; and the towering Curtly Ambrose, the West Indian enforcer whose economy, rhythm, and bounce made him a nightmare for the best.
ALSO READ: Quinton de Kock Names All-Time Left-Handers’ XI Featuring Two Pakistani Greats
Just recently, Quinton de Kock, the former South African star, picked Wasim Akram in his all-time left-handed XI – a dream team that also featured Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir among the bowling ranks.
