Pakistan: Wasim Akram to step down as captain today? (3 Jan 1998)

03 January 1998

Wasim Akram to step down as captain today?

By Samiul Hasan

KARACHI, Jan 2: Wasim Akram intends to call on Majid Khan, Chief Executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Saturday morning which is expected to be a crucial meeting.

According to sources close to Wasim Akram, the allrounder is expected to express his inability to lead the Pakistan cricket team on a gruelling eight-week tour of Africa. He would, however, confirm his availability as a player on the tour. Pakistan play three Tests against South Africa and two against Zimbabwe besides nine one-day international, including three against Zimbabwe. The remaining six will be played in the tri-series involving world champions Sri Lanka and South Africa.

"Yes I have a scheduled meeting with Majid Khan on Saturday in which I will discuss my future," Wasim Akram confirmed from his Lahore residence. "I will also deliberate upon my role as Pakistan captain. I would like to continue but under the circumstances I have to reconsider my options," Akram said.

Akram is reportedly receiving death call for which his father has lodged a complaint with the police in Lahore.

"I am not comfortable with the treatment I am receiving after serving Pakistan with distinction. I mean, whenever a team loses, it is attributed to match-fixing. It's only shattering the confidence of the team besides putting the players under tremendous pressure," he said. He, however, refused to confirm or deny if he would be standing down from captaincy. "Let me talk to Majid Khan and then only I will be able to answer you," he said.

Nevertheless, sources close to the player said Akram was lacking in motivation after a series of match-fixing allegations against him. The PCB has also instructed its match-fixing probe committee to look into the affairs that led to Pakistan's defeat in Sharjah. "The relevant material has been provided to them (committee members) and they have been asked to submit a report," PCB chief executive Majid Khan confirmed. He, however, said no deadline has been set. Khalid Mahmood, Waqar Ahmad, Mian Munir and Justice Ijaz Yousuf are the members of the panel.

The expected withdrawal of Wasim Akram leaves an open door for Rashid Latif to retain captaincy after being appointed skipper for the Dhaka triangular.

Source:: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)