Australia's 35-year-old bagged England's Harry Brook at the 'Gabba in Brisbane on day one of the day-night second Ashes Test for his 415th wicket since his debut at the same ground 14 years ago.
It moved him past Akram, widely recognised as the greatest left-arm bowler the sport has seen.
Akram played 104 Tests for his 414 wickets, with Starc reaching the milestone in his 102nd, helped by a career-best 7-58 in the first innings of the opening Ashes Test at Perth.
"I'll reflect on that later. Wasim remains at the pinnacle of left-armers," Starc said after the first day's play.
Starc is now 16th on the all-time wicket-taker list and could move above both India's Harbhajan Singh (417) and South Africa's Shaun Pollock (421) in the current pink-ball Test.
After that he will have New Zealand's Richard Hadlee (431) in his sights.
Starc further cemented his reputation as a menace with the pink ball on Thursday in Brisbane, having taken 81 wickets in his previous 14 day-night tests, but was at a loss to explain why.
"I get asked all the time, but I still don't know. It is what it is. I still think it's like a white ball," he said.
"Once that ball goes soft, it is not the easiest thing to score with, and it's certainly not the easiest to bowl with.
"Proper Test cricket, albeit a pink ball. A solid day's test cricket," he added at the close of play.
Starc bowled 19 overs, conceding 71 runs for his six wickets, as England reached 325-9 after 74 overs, aided by Joe Root's unbeaten 135.
Australia, who hold the Ashes, lead the series 1-0.