Wasim Akram: a selectors’ dilemma
Agha Akbar - 26 July 2001
To his great chagrin, for the last couple of home and away seasons, Wasim Akram has found out that his selection for Pakistan is no longer automatic, and has become a issue of heated debate.
What is worse, this situation is likely to continue in the forthcoming home season as well, with the selectors considering his inclusion in the squad, which is to start training from August 1st.
As his glorious career draws towards its close, being chosen now is of crucial importance for Akram. If he gets dropped now, it may very well be curtains for the ageing speedster, as it would be difficult for him to fight his way back. Secondly, this is Pakistan’s busiest-ever season, with 12 Test matches, eight of them at home, and the rest in the sub-continent against oppositions, New Zealand, India, Bangladesh and the West Indies, which are not really top-notch.
In addition to that there are between 15 and 20 one-dayers. So if Akram is selected it is likely that he would be able to add some cheap wickets to his tally, pushing it towards 500 in both forms of the game. Currently his tally stands at 414 from 102 Tests, and 440 from 319 one-day Internationals. Thirdly, for the first time the Pakistan Cricket Board is offering contracts to a bunch of 20 to 25 cricketers, and Akram wouldn’t want to be left out.
The question which nags many a cricket follower the world over is: why is the selection of an accomplished performer of Akram’s class so often in dispute? One thing is certain. Diabetic and advancing in age, his powers are on the wane. Of late, his fitness and form have been uncertain.
But the greatest setback to Akram has been his erstwhile friend, now nemesis Waqar Younis’ elevation to the captaincy. After falling out with Younis, and losing the captaincy in a revolt, once Akram was back at the helm he treated his bosom buddy in a really off-handed manner, not handing him the bowling at times when he could have proven his effectiveness with a bunch of wickets.
Things came to such a pass that Younis lashed out in public, accusing Akram of destroying his career. Now that there has been a reversal of roles, Akram is being paid back in kind by Younis, who first stalled his selection for the England tour, to the extent that the issue became an international debate.
Once Akram succeeded in making the side, Younis made things difficult for him. Akram’s lack of fitness was no help, and prevented him from redeeming himself in public perception and selectors’ esteem.
So whatever the public pronouncements of the two burying the hatchet, it was not hunky-dory between the two. That continues to be the case. Apart from Younis’ aversion to having Akram in the eleven, or even in the squad, there is a practical problem too. There is not enough space for both ageing stars, especially as neither is likely to deliver in the formidable manner that they used to – at least against quality opposition.
For his part Akram is putting on a brave face. "I am determined to continue for as long as my form and fitness is not below par, for as long as I can perform well at international level. I have said time and again that I would leave the game myself, with grace whenever I felt that it was beyond me to deliver, for I do not want the team to carry my weight.
"As it is, in the context of my career I am not thinking of long term. I am not even thinking of the next year. All I am planning for is the next season. That said, I want to reassure everyone that my fitness is good enough to stand the rigours of international cricket.
“Recently, partnering Shahid Afridi I have won a double-wicket event in the United States. I am playing a match for Lashing Club against Kent on August 6th. That shows that I am fit enough, and it is because I have been training in the off-season to regain fitness. Trust me, there is still some cricket left in me,” he concluded.
It remains to be seen whether his optimism is shared by the selectors and the PCB, and also by Waqar Younis.
© CricInfo Ltd.