Lancashire: Wasim closes in on treble dream (14 Sep 1998)

14 September 1998

Wasim closes in on treble dream

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Wasim Akram is closer than ever to fulfilling his dream of leading Lancashire to the championship. The Pakistan star produced a magnificent all round performance to destroy Notts at Trent Bridge yesterday, and clinch their fifth consecutive win, writes ANDY WILSON.

Wasim smashed 155 from 181 balls, his fourth century for Lancashire and his first since 1993, then grabbed his first five wicket haul of the season to clinch victory by 289 runs.

And afterwards he revealed that he now has an extra motivation burning inside him - the match-fixing allegations which threaten his future in cricket. "I know this is my last week for Lancashire and I want to go out on a high," said Wasim.

"It's the only way to answer back to my critics who do not trust me and the people who are against me. If I can help Lancashire to win the championship it will show people that I am a good team man and that I have always given 100 per cent for my country and county."

Given all the distractions of the last week, with Lancashire signing Muttiah Muralitharan even before the shock news from Pakistan, it was an amazing effort from Wasim.

He will return to Lahore on September 27 in an effort to clear his name, and seems unlikely to play in the Test series against Australia - with his place in next summer's World Cup now in considerable doubt.

Wasim again stressed that Lancashire's success this season was down to team work. It has been for much of the year, but the exceptions have come at Trent Bridge.

In a Benson and Hedges Cup group match there in May, Wasim smashed 89 from 42 balls to set up Lancashire's win almost single handed. And it was a similar story yesterday as after coming in at number eight, he hit 14 fours and five sixes as Lancashire added 145 for the last two wickets.

That left Notts completely demoralised, and with Ian Austin chipping in with three more wickets, they were skittled out for 171 in their second innings.

So Lancashire cling to their hopes of a first outright championship since 1934 - although there is still a chance of a carbon copy of 1950, when they shared top spot with Surrey.

They trail Leicestershire by 11 points and Surrey by two - with Leicester and Surrey facing each other at The Oval on Thursday, when Lancashire start their game against Hampshire at Old Trafford.

If Leicester win, Lancashire could be second, as they were in 1987 when they also won their last six matches but just missed out to Notts. But if Surrey win, Lancashire could still take the title if they claim more bonus points. And if The Oval match is drawn, Wasim could fulfil his greatest ambition.

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