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XtraTime Web Desk: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram will go down as one of the greats of the game without a shadow of a doubt. He was the greatest exponent of swing bowling and someone who had the knack of moving the ball both ways in one delivery. The quintessential all rounder played an important role in Pakistan winning the 1992 World Cup. Akram had set many a milestones in his illustrious career but one that stands out was the two hat-tricks he claimed in ODI’s in Sharjah in a span of just six months. Exactly thirty years back on this day an all round display including a hat-trick from Wasim Akram, helped Pakistan lift the Austral-Asia title in Sharjah. The Imran Khan led side defeated Australia in the final by 36 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The Pakistani fans in Sharjah were in large numbers to watch the final after their comprehensive 8 wickets win over New Zealand in the first semi final semi final. Imran Khan won the toss and elected to bat first on a placid wicket. Riding on a brilliant 87 by Salim Malik, and useful contributions from opener Saeed Anwar (40) and Akram (49 off 50 balls) Pakistan posted a decent 266/7. Pakistan was in a spot losing 6 wickets for 179 runs, courtesy a fine bowling by Australian pacer Terry Alderman who picked two quick wickets of Ijaz Ahmed and Imran Khan. But some lusty hitting by Akram towards the end of the innings set Australia a target of 267 runs to win. Australia was given a solid start by openers David Boon and Mark Taylor, putting on 62 runs. However three quick wickets stalled Australia’s momentum leaving them at 64 for three. Waqar Yoinis struck twice in two overs to send back Dean Jones (0) and skipper Allan Border (1). Leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed came into the act and ran through the Australian middle-order to leave them reeling at 207 for seven, still needing 59 runs to win. Ian Healy and Merv Hughes kept hopes alive for Aussies as they added 23 runs for the eighth wicket to take the socre to 230. Australia looked favourites to lift the cup at that stage, needed just 36 runs to win with three wickets in hand. The moment of the match arrived as Akram bowled his 9th over. Coming round the wicket to Hughes, he had his stumps uprooted. Carl Rackermann was undone by a peach-of-a-delivery first up. It was a length delivery that angled into the right hander and went through his defense to peg back the stumps. Australia’s No 11 batter Terry Alderman missed a full length delivery to see the leg stump shattered. It meant Akram claimed his second hat-trick at the venue in a span of just six months. His previous hat-trick was against West Indies at the same venue on October 14, 1989. In that occasion as well he bowled all three West Indian batsmen Jeff Dujon, Malcolm Marshall and Curtly Ambrose Wasim Akram went on to pick a monumental 502 wickets from 356 ODI’s for Pakistan, establishing him as one of the greatest Pakistani cricketer. The 53 year old cricketer from Lahore also has two hat-tricks to his name in test cricket as well, making him perhaps the only international cricketer to do so till date. Both his test hat-tricks were against Sri Lanka in 1998-99.