Pakistan’s Wasim Akram felt relief rather than ecstasy on Tuesday after becoming the first player in history to take 500 one-day international wickets.

The 36-year-old left-arm swing bowler, who reached the mark by dismissing Dutch opener Nick Statham in a World Cup Group A match, said: “I was really under pressure last night and, like any youngster, although I am not a youngster, I couldn’t get to sleep.

“But now I’m relaxed and, yes, relieved… It was a feeling more of relief than ecstasy.”

Statham was out for a duck after playing a typically venomous inswinging Wasim delivery back on to his stumps.