“Wasim Akram is still the pinnacle left-armer” - Mitchell Starc after becoming the most successful left-arm pacer in Tests

Mitchell Starc, who became the most successful left-arm pacer in the longest format of the game, surpassing Wasim Akram, has opened up on achieving the feat on Day 1 of the ongoing pink ball Test against England at The Gabba in Brisbane. 

For the unversed, Starc went past Wasim Akram after dismissing Harry Brook to take his tally to 415 Test wickets, the most by any among left-arm pacers in Tests. Speaking after the end of the first day’s pay, Starc called Wasim Akram as the pinnacle left-arm pacer.

"I'll reflect on it later. Wasim is still the pinnacle left-armer, I think he's still better. (Key to his incredible success with the pink ball) I get asked all the time, I still don't know. It is what it is. I think it's still like a white ball. Today, it was a soft ball. A couple of Yorkshiremen, runs and wickets. Joe's batted well there. A pretty tough day's cricket. I think once that ball goes soft, it's not the easiest thing to score with. It's certainly not the easiest thing to bowl with when it's soft. Proper Test cricket. Pink ball, 9 for 320, pretty solid day's Test cricket," Starc said.

On the other hand, Wasim Akram himself congratulated the Aussie left-arm pacer for his big achievement, terming it a proud moment.

“Super Starc! Proud of you, mate it was only a matter of time before you crossed my tally of wickets. Go well and keep soaring,” Wasim Akram wrote on X (Formerly Twitter).

At Stumps on Day 1, England posted 325/9 in 74 overs. Zak Crawley smacked 76 runs while Joe Root was the wrecker-in-chief with an exceptional century. Mitchell Starc scalped six wickets, conceding 71 runs in 19 overs on the first day's play.

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