Cricket World Cup History: 3 highest wicket-takers in the tournament 

#3 Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram celebrating after claiming a wicket in the 1999 Cricket World Cup.

One of the greatest left-arm pacers to have ever graced a World Cup, Wasim Akram enters this list at number 3. He represented Pakistan in 5 World Cups, claiming a brilliant tally of 55 wickets in the 38 matches he participated in. However, the start to his World Cup Journey was rather dismal. In his debut World Cup in 1987, he was only able to take 7 wickets in 7 games. Proving that he learns from his mistakes, the next time Akram took to the field for a World Cup game, he was a changed bowler. In the 1992 World Cup, Wasim Akram was the star bowler, taking a total of 18 wickets in just 10 matches. His spectacular performance helped his team get over the line and lift the cup for the first time.

After an extremely successful tournament, Akram once again seemed lost when the 1996 World Cup came around. He was not able to play the role of the dominant bowler for his team, taking a mere 3 wickets in 5 matches. Once again, forgetting all about his disappointing last edition, he was an unbelievable threat in the 1999 Cup. Playing for his country as the leader of the bowling attack, Akram picked up an impressive 15 wickets, while also helping his team reach the finals of yet another tournament. Come his last appearance in a World Cup in 2003, Wasim Akram wanted to leave on a high which he managed to do. He had a spectacular tournament individually picking up 12 wickets. However, his team did not support him well enough and Pakistan witnessed an early exit.

Wasim Akram is the 2nd highest wicket-taker in ODIs with 502 wickets.