PAKISTAN’S NICE GUY CAN STILL TERRORISE BATSMEN
The cricket World Cup promised so much for so many, but the nature of such a competition is almost all are going to be disappointed. Pakistan’s World Cup campaign was worse than disappointing as the side which could have brought home a trophy struggled against all but the weakest of opposition.
Wasim Akram had one moment of delight when he took his 500th one-day international wicket and immediately entered the history books as the first player to achieve such a feat.
But personal glory was ruined by the failure of the team, a failure which led as far as death threats back home in Pakistan.
Having announced he would retire after the World Cup, Akram looks set to continue for a little longer.
“I was not unhappy about my personal performance although you always think you can do better,” he said. "We did not play as a team and even if we had not won the World Cup I still feel we should have gone much further and performed much better.
"I was disappointed that Australia won the World Cup. I was more disappointed that we failed, but I did think Australia were there for the taking. England had the chance but didn’t quite make it.
"In no way would I take anything away from Australia, they have proved themselves to be the best, most consistent side in recent times.
"But now everyone has an extra incentive to beat them, so they will be under much more pressure between now and the next World Cup.
"I thought the competition as a whole was quite good, although the controversy about Zimbabwe and Kenya did spoil things just a little.
"There were too many permutations on who had to win what.
“If it becomes too technical it fails to attract new interest in the game and a showpiece such as the World Cup should be used to sell the game of cricket to a wider audience.”
Now 36, Akram has changed his mind about retirement, although he knows it is still pending.
“I said I might retire after the World Cup, but that was always open to change if it seemed appropriate to continue,” he admitted. “I felt it was appropriate to carry on and make myself available.”
A one-year contract in the county championship with Hampshire, who will be captained by his former Lancashire teammate John Crawley, confirmed Akram’s desire to continue his career in the top flight.
AKRAM has been at the top of world cricket since making an explosive debut in 1985.
He was born in Lahore in June, 1966, the son of a businessman with a spare parts supply company.
He had two brothers and a sister and grew up closest to her and his mother who guided him through his formative years.
"She always drummed into me the importance of a good education, but I was never that good academically.
"I am afraid I played truant a few times and would not revise for exams. My mother went mad at me occasionally for that. I passed a few exams, so it was all right. My real pleasure, though, was in playing cricket and I spent as much time as possible with my friends playing the game.
“I just loved the game and my hero was Imran Khan. I remember going to see him play and queuing up for his autograph. I still have that. I fantasised about playing along with all the other stars of Pakistan cricket.”
The fantasy did come true, of course. Akram was first discovered playing for Islamia Collage in Pakistan and was fast-tracked towards the international side.
He had extra coaching as he was considered to be a great prospect. Still only 18 he went on tour with Pakistan to New Zealand, where he became the youngest player to take 10 wickets in a Test match.
Despite his early success, Akram was still intimidated to be in such lofty company.
He said: "I was completely overawed at playing in the same team as many of my heroes.
"I was a junior among seniors, but they took care of me and did their best to make me feel at home, although I was very homesick on that first tour since I had never been out of Pakistan before in my life.
"It seems a little strange now, but I had also never bowled on a green wicket before.
“Everything was very new to me, but it taught me a lesson I have always remembered. When other young players have joined the squad, I try to make them feel comfortable and confident.”
Since his debut, Akram has won accolades and one-day trophies with Lancashire where he is still considered to be an adopted son, but never the county championship which remains as elusive as ever to the red rose county which has not won the blue riband event since it shared the championship in 1950.
Career highlights have been many, but in 1992 came his finest hour when Pakistan won the World Cup in Australia.
“It would be hard to repeat such a great time,” said Akram.
"Imran came back to captain the side and everything went right for us.
“We were all on top form and he was such an inspiring captain.”
At county level there are many who would still like to see him turning out for Lancashire, where he became a hero.
ON one occasion at Southport he took eight wickets for 30 runs and gave the sort of performance which turned him into a Lancashire legend.
“Lancashire became my British home,” he said. "I bought a house at Altrincham for my wife, Huma, and myself and it really did feel like home among my friends.
"I am also a big fan of Manchester United and used to go and watch their matches as often as possible.
“I still follow their results and see them sometimes on television.”
Akram has the reputation of being one of the nice guys in the world of cricket, although many batsmen may not agree since they have been on the receiving end of his amazing bowling.
He has been acclaimed as a hero and vilified by some elements of the Asian media for allegations of match-fixing, a subject he will not dignify by discussing.
“I just like to get on with the game,” he said. "Like most players, I do not like to get involved with the politics or other aspects of the game which go on off the field.
“Sometimes there is too much pressure put on players by those who are not out there trying to get a result.”
Although he us unassuming almost to the point of shyness, Akram has a great sense of humour and is willing to laugh, especially at himself.
One of Akram’s favourite pastimes is throwing barbecue parties for his friends.
"I enjoy that even though the weather in England is a bit unpredictable.
"I like to socialise among my own circle of friends. There is never enough time to relax properly, but a barbecue with friends is nice.
“I like listening to music as well and while it might seem a little old-fashioned, I still like the Gypsy Kings.”
It is said his bowling is slowing down a little, but most batsmen would disagree.
He looks extremely fit and puts that down to his diet.
“I eat a lot of salads,” he said. "I know I enjoy a barbecue, but I am a salad person most of the time and I am sure it helps a great deal.
“I try to keep fit and I certainly feel good. If I am asked I could go on playing internationally for a while yet, but I really do take each game as it comes these days. I know I may have played my last international.”
Akram is arguably one of, if not the best bowler the world has seen and certainly remains possibly the best of all-rounders.
If nobody can bend it like Beckham, then probably nobody can send down a swerving ball at speed like Akram.
When he does definitely retire Akram has no plans to follow his mentor, Imran, into politics.
He has no plans to go into cricket coaching either.
“I am always willing to help, but I think I would find it too frustrating,” he said. “I don’t know what I shall do when I am finally finished with playing. Perhaps I shall go into media work. I have done a little already and enjoyed it.”
There has been both glory and controversy during his career, either way Akram remains one of the world’s truly greats of cricket. A living legend, a man of today, but already a hero of Pakistan history.
