Wasim Akram confirms availability to Canterbury (5 November 1998)
KARACHI, Nov 4: Celebrated allrounder Wasim Akram has confirmed availability to Canterbury for his appearance in New Zealand's premier one-day competition - the Shell Cup
05-Nov-1998
5 November 1998
Wasim Akram confirms availability to Canterbury
The Dawn
KARACHI, Nov 4: Celebrated allrounder Wasim Akram has confirmed
availability to Canterbury for his appearance in New Zealand's
premier one-day competition - the Shell Cup.
"I have informed them about my availability. But I haven't received
their consent so far. But I am hoping it in the next couple of days,"
Akram said on Wednesday.
Canterbury had contacted the former Pakistan captain last month but
Akram had delayed his confirmation till he received permission from
the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
"I discussed the proposal with Khalid Mahmood (PCB chairman) and he
has no objection. In fact, he was very considerate but wanted me to
be available for the Indian tour," Akram said.
Pakistan embark on their first Test tour of India in 12 years on Jan
21 next year and return on March 16 after playing three Tests and
five one-day internationals.
"I assured Khalid Mahmood that I would be available for the Indian
series which is as important to me as anyone," he added.
Akram was one of the key players when Pakistan won the six-Test
series 1-0 and one-day series 5-1 when the side last toured under
Imran Khan in 1986-87.
The Pakistan star said he was offered captaincy by Canterbury "but I
want to play as an ordinary player. Whoever will be the captain, he
will have my full support and cooperation.
"I am at a stage of my career where besides performing for the team,
I want to contribute to the grooming of budding pacers. If you have
to keep the interest in Test cricket alive, you need to have good and
aggressive pacers.
"I have been working on a few Pakistani pacers and they have
responded well. But it would be asking for too much from them to
start striking immediately. They need a little more time and
exposure," he remarked.
Source :: The Dawn (www.dawn.com)