Wasim not keen on international comeback

Wasim Akram has admitted he is unlikely to come out of retirement, not even to play in a farewell appearance against South Africa in October.

Wasim, who was one of eight players dropped after a disappointing World Cup campaign, had been offered the chance to play one last ODI in front of his home crowds, either in Karachi or Lahore. But, after his stint at Hampshire was cut short by illness (he is a diabetic), Wasim may now hang up his boots for good.

"I am grateful to the Pakistan board that they have offered me this final chance to play for Pakistan and in front of my home crowd," said Wasim. "But I think once you have retired it is over. So far I have not given [the PCB] any reply. But I am not really keen on playing any international match again. Doctors have advised me [to] rest for the time being."

In the meantime, Wasim has been summoned to appear before a Lahore court in September, to face charges of breaking Islamic law by appearing in an Indian liquor advertisement. A petition was filed by a Pakistani citizen, Mohammad Fayez, who demands a public apology from Wasim and damages of 25,000 rupees, roughly US$400.

Wasim, unsurprisingly, denies all the charges. "The news that a petition is filed against me in a Pakistan court surprised me," he said, "because I never featured in a liquor advertisement and can never imagine to break religious laws. I think it's a publicity stunt which is very common in Pakistan and I am used to it." Fayez's lawyer, Ansar Mahmood Bajwa, insisted it was a matter of principle.