Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram has said that Anil Kumble was "a true role model for every youngster worldwide".

Reacting to Kumble's decision to hang up his boots after the Delhi Test that finished on Sunday, Akram said: "Anil was one of the greatest bowlers of all time. I think it was a perfect decision and a perfect timing.

"He has been everywhere, he has achieved everything; he has done it."

The pace legend paid glowing tributes to India's highest wicket-taker and reminisced about Kumble's 10-wicket haul against Pakistan at the Ferozeshah Kotla in 1999.

"In 1999, when I was captain of Pakistan in the Delhi Test, Kumble took 10 wickets in an innings and that feat has been achieved by only two bowlers in world cricket. I was the 10th wicket and whenever I meet people in India they remind me that I was his 10th victim in that match," he told Mobile ESPN.

"He is a thorough gentleman, a perfect human being, down to earth and well spoken."

Akram said Kumble had made a tremendous contribution in lifting Indian cricket.

"I think the effort that Kumble has made to lift Indian cricket over the years is commendable, he is in the same league as Sachin Tendulkar.

"He was the unsung hero for the first five-six years of his career. Irrespective of ODIs and Tests, he used to pick five-six wickets and people realised his quality much later."

Wishing him the best for the future, Akram said: "He was consistently good and consistently on the top and I wish him all the luck in his future plans."