Samiul Hasan: Wasim not to play until cleared (16 Sep 1998)

16 September 1998

Wasim not to play until cleared

By Samiul Hasan

KARACHI, Sept 15: Celebrated former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram on Tuesday vowed that he will not represent the country until his name was cleared in the betting and match-fixing scandal.

Talking to Dawn from London, Akram said: "I have not retired from international cricket but I wouldn't play until the investigations are completed and I'm exonerated of all charges."

"I know the judicial inquiry has started and is unlikely to finish until Nov 10. Till that time I will not play for Pakistan," Akram, who has 341 Tests and 356 one-day wickets to his credit, remarked.

"Even if the case prolongs for two or three years, I will fight it out. I know I can play for another couple of years which can be destroyed in this court case. But, at least, I will spent rest of my life peacefully," said Akram who is expected to return to Pakistan on Sept 29.

Akram's latest announcement means that he will not be available for the home series against Australia who arrive here on Sept 23 on a six-week tour. He will also be absent from the ICC Trophy to be played in Dhaka late next month.

Akram said he was under tremendous mental pressure. "Nowadays I can't think of anything else except that my name is being implicated in false scandals. To be honest, I can't even concentrate for Lancashire who are chasing their first ever triple in English season."

Akram, a veteran of 79 Tests and 247 one-day internationals, stated that he had full support and backing from his county chairman Jack Simmons. "He doesn't believe in whatever is being published about me. He has complete faith in me and that's why I was offered next year's contract which I turned down.

"But it is very depressing when you come to know that your county is supporting you but not the country for whom you have played with distinction for nearly 14 years," said Akram in a sad tone.

The 32-year-old Akram, who scored 2,018 Tests and 2,384 one-day runs, argued that fingers have only been raised on the matches which Pakistan lost. "But what about the matches which Pakistan won, sometimes when on the brink of defeat?"

He said he has not been credited for leading Pakistan to a 3-0 win over the West Indies last year. "It was the first white-wash they (West Indies) suffered in 69 years. I was denied of acknowledgement from the authorities when Pakistan won the World Series in 1996-97 for the first time in 17 years. I have not been appreciated for leading Pakistan to a 2-0 win over England in 1996."

He claimed that a conspiracy was being hatched against him by the cricket authorities. "I don't want to name anyone but I know they are bent upon ending my career. If they want it that way, fine, but first they have to clear my name."

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