Lancashire: No return for Wasim (20 Aug 1998)

20 August 1998

No return for Wasim

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Lancashire are looking for a new overseas player for next season because Wasim Akram wants to concentrate on the World Cup.

Wasim is currently in his benefit year at Old Trafford, but his contract expires at the end of this season.

And Lancashire cricket secretary Dave Edmundson said today: "Wasim has indicated that he wants to concentrate on playing for Pakistan in the World Cup, and ruled himself out of being involved as an overseas professional in county cricket in 1999."

That leaves Lancashire with a tricky decision. Do they go for another top Test star to replace Wasim, even though they would only be available for half a season because of the World Cup?

Or do they look instead for a player who will not be involved in the World Cup, but could still do a job in County cricket? They have already been linked with Sri Lankan off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, and the South Africans Makhaya Ntini and Lance Klusener.

But Edmundson insisted: "We haven't made any firm decisions whatsoever. All we have done is talk about possibilities and ascertained whether some players would be interested.

"We are a big player in cricket and we are trying to ensure that we are in the front of the queue."

The matter will be discussed again at a meeting of the Cricket Committee at Old Trafford next Tuesday, although no decision is likely until after the next full committee meeting on September 8.

Meanwhile Wasim will be keen to go out on a high, and has the perfect chance in the next few weeks, with Lancashire in the NatWest final and in contention for the championship and the AXA League.

He has always said that leading Lancashire to their first championship since 1950 is his dream.

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)