Aussie Starc breaks Akram’s Test record, but places Pakistani great ‘at the pinnacle’

Australia's pace spearhead Mitchell Starc broke the record for the most Test wickets by a left-arm pacer on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test against England in Brisbane.

The 35-year-old ended the day with 6/71, which left England on 325/9 with Joe Root unbeaten on 135. In the process of collecting English scalps, Starc went past Pakistani great Wasim Akram's Test tally of 414 wickets.

Starc's Test wicket count has reached 418, which puts him on top of all left-arm pacers. Retired Sri Lankan Chaminda Vaas is third in the list on 355 wickets, while no other active left-arm pacer has hit the 300-mark.

At the close of play, Starc was reminded of his No 1 status, but it is not an opinion the Australian shares. "I'll reflect on that later. Wasim remains at the pinnacle of left-armers," Starc said.

Akram, who retired more than two decades ago, is revered for his swing and accuracy. The ICC Hall of Famer finished with 916 international wickets, including 502 in ODIs.

Akram was one of the most feared bowlers in the 1980s and 90s, who played a crucial role in Pakistan's triumph in the 1992 Cricket World Cup. Starc's remark about Akram shows that the aura of some players remains intact even when their records are broken.