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Wasim Akram is still the pinnacle, says Mitchell Starc after breaking Pakistan great’s record

Samira Vishwas | December 5, 2025 11:24 AM CST

It was another vintage show with the pink ball from Mitchell Starc on Thursday as he took six wickets on a see-saw Day 1 of the 2nd Ashes Test at the Gabba. Starc finished with figures of 6/71 in 19 overs and, in the process, surpassed Pakistan great Wasim Akram to become the most left-arm fast bowler of all time in Test cricket. Starc’s career wicket tally went to 418 in in 102 Tests while Wasim had retired with 414 in 104.

The 35-year-old cut a tired figure at the end of the absorbing day in which momentum swung between the two teams before England finished with their noses slightly in front despite Starc’s efforts, and said that he will wrap his head around the record later. However, he also stated that he will always Wasim as the greatest. “Wasim’s still the pinnacle for left-armers, best ever with the ball. I feel he is still better,” Starc had told Michael Vaughan while talking to the broadcasters right after the end of play.

Starc later joked in the press conference after day’s play that he won’t be calling himself the GOAT. “Wasim’s still a far better bowler than I am as far as I’m concerned. He’s still the pinnacle of left-armers and certainly right up there with the (greatest) bowlers to ever play the game. It’s nice to be spoken up around that, I’ll just try to keep churning a few out.”

‘Super Starc!’ says Wasim Akram

Wasim was all praise for Starc as he congratulated the latter. “Super Starc! Proud of you, mate. Your incredible hard work sets you apart, and it was only a matter of time before you crossed my tally of wickets. I am pleased to give this to you! Go well, and keep soaring to new heights in your stellar career,” Akram wrote on X.

While Australia were in the driver’s seat for much of the day almost exclusively due to Starc’s effectiveness, England pulled away towards the end of the day as Joe Root scored his first Test century in the country and ended the day with a last-wicket partnership of 61 off 44 balls with Jofra Archer.