Former Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene names the toughest bowler he had faced in his career

Mahela Jayawardene is a legend in the game of cricket. He is arguably one of the best cricketers to ever step on the crease and his stature is very high in this game. The former Sri Lankan skipper is fourth on the list of the highest run-scorers in international cricket.

The 45-year-old made his debut in 1997 against India. And it was not that easy for him right away. For any batter who starts his international career, it is always a struggle in the early days. Jayawardene also opened up about his early days and named the former Pakistani skipper as the toughest bowler he had faced in his career.

During an ICC digital show called "The ICC Review," the former Sri Lanka skipper said that Wasim Akram was the toughest bowler to face in his career. He added that when he made his debut, Akram was at his peak at the end of his career.

The former Sri Lankan skipper has also lauded the ex-Pakistani skipper and said that he was one of the best when it comes to using the swing, irrespective of the pitch conditions. He said, "He had the ability to beat you any time of the day."

Jayawardene, who represented Sri Lanka in 149 Test matches, 448 ODIs and 55 T201s, has scored a total of 25957 international runs. Furthermore, he said that the former Pakistani skipper was among the best at using old and new balls both, and that made him the toughest bowler to face.

He concluded, "He [Akram] would run-in with the same intensity at the end of the second day’s play as he would at the first ball of the match."

Wasim Akram ended his career as one of the best bowlers in the history of the game. He is the second highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket. He played 104 Test matches and took 414 wickets, and in 356 ODIs he had 502 wickets.