McGrath, who had been one behind the legendary left-arm quick's mark of 55, took three for 16 in world champions Australia's 10-wicket thrashing of Bangladesh at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

"Wasim Akram is one of the greatest bowlers of all time, a left-armer who swings it both ways with the new ball -- and so dangerous with the old ball too," McGrath said after Saturday's match.

"I guess to go past him is something special and something I'll always remember."

However, the 37-year-old McGrath, who has appeared in the last three World Cup finals the 1996 defeat to Sri Lanka and the wins in 1999 and 2003 over Pakistan and India respectively, said his longevity as a cricketer as much as anything else explained his latest record-breaking achievement.