Wasim Akram in need of good performance to preserve his future

Wasim Akram approaches the last Test of the series against England in need of a good performance in order to preserve his international career. Having just played his 100th Test, and having taken over 400 wickets and scored nearly 3000 runs, his reputation as a quality performer is assured. At 34 though, there is concern that his best years may have passed by.

"I'm not interested in what happened 10 years ago. For me, the present is important and the future most important." Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board commented.

Wasim Akram has taken just two wickets in the series, at an average of over 60 each, and has claimed only 15 wickets since 1998 in home Tests. With his batting form deteriorating too, he can no longer consider himself an automatic choice for Pakistan.

However, Akram believes that the pitches in Pakistan are so unhelpful for seam bowling that he cannot be blamed for his recent performances. He issued a call to abandon the policy of producing dry tracks, ideal for spin bowling, but little else.

"We don't want a full house here to get bored watching slow cricket," Akram said. "We have to start preparing result-orientated wickets not just for Pakistan's sake but for the good of Test cricket in Pakistan."

It is likely that Akram will team up with Waqar Younis in the third Test as Pakistan alter their tactics to deal with an English batting line-up that has proved more resilient than was anticipated. With the series and his international future to play for, the scene is set for a great performance from Akram.