Lara brands Wasim Akram 'fastest, best bowler' he ever faced

West Indies legend Brian Lara has branded former Pakistani bowling great as the fastest and the best bowler he ever faced during his illustrious international career spanning 17 years.

The former West Indies captain, who was unarguably one of the finest and most elegant looking batsmen of the time, remains one of the four batsmen of history besides Don Bradman, Virender Sehwag and Christ Gayle to score two triple centuries in Tests.

Lara, whose unbeaten 400 against England at Antigua in 2003 still remains the highest individual score ever made in a Test innings, prior to the first Test of the West Indies against South Africa, was the guest of 'Right to Care' HIV Aids charity, Sport24 reported.

The charity was headed by the former South Africa Test captain Dr. Ali Bacher, who also happened to be the head of the United Cricket Board and Director of the World Cup 2003.

Lara revealed that it was not Courtney Walsh, Curtley Ambrose, Waqar Younis, Glenn McGrath, Bret Lee, Alan Donald and Makaya Ntini, but Akram who was the fastest and best bowler according to him.

Lara stated that the former Pakistan captain was fast and furious, adding that Akram bowled over and round the wicket, swung the ball both ways, a master of reverse swing and moreover at times he cut the ball prodigiously.

The West Indian claimed that Akram's bouncers were fast and slow too and very aggressive when in full flow and very competitive as well, and claimed that he never felt in control when facing Akram because he was always very unpredictable.

Lara, who made his Test debut against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, scored 11,912 runs for the West Indies during his career span lasting from 1989 to 2006, at an average of 53.17 in 130 Tests which also included 34 centuries, the report added.