Wasim pulls out due to lack of match fitness

Karachi, March 12: Former captain Wasim Akram said here on Sunday that he had pulled out of the third Test because he was not feeling match-fit.

"I still had pain below the groin. I didn't want to be a liability on the team," he told reporters at the National Stadium.

Wasim bowled just 13 deliveries in Rawalpindi and missed the second Test in Peshawar. He had attended team's final work-out before the final Test on Saturday afternoon.

"I tested my fitness on Saturday but couldn't satisfy myself. I didn't want to go in the match half-fit. I am really disappointed to miss Tests because the wickets were really helpful for the fast bowlers.

"I had an excellent opportunity to inch closer to 400-mark at home before adding a few more in the West Indies," Wasim said.

Wasim, who also has 414 one-day wickets, is joint fourth leading wicket-taker in Tests with Ian Botham at 383 and behind Kapil Dev (434), Sir Richard Hadlee (431) and Courtney Walsh (426).

But he said these matches wouldn't dent his ambitions of breaking the world record. He said he was still very keen and more hungry for wickets after missing home Test matches.

But he added that his tour to Sri Lanka in June-July was still doubtful as he is contractually bound as England television commentator for the series between Zimbabwe and England in the first half and England versus West Indies in the second half.

"If I get the permission, I would definitely be available for Sri Lanka tour. But the ball is in their court," he said.

The all-rounder father said he would also be available for the tour of Sharjah.

"You have to play in every series. This is the demand of modern day cricket. I would like to be selective but that isn't possible with so much cricket being played and high expectations involved."