KARACHI, 5 June 2003 — Retired fast bowler Wasim Akram responded positively yesterday to a Pakistan Cricket Board offer of a farewell appearance in a One-Day International against South Africa before his home crowd.
“It’s a nice gesture on the part of PCB that they have plans to give me a farewell one-day before the home crowd,” Wasim, 37 on Tuesday, told AFP from Hampshire in England where he is playing county cricket.
“It would be nice to end the career where I started.”
With 502 wickets in 356 One-Day Internationals — both world records - and 414 Test wickets, Wasim announced he would retire from international cricket last month after a 19-year career.
PCB Chairman Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia said on Monday the board was planning a fitting farewell for Wasim by playing him in a one-day game against South Africa before the home crowd in October.
“It’s still four months away but I may give it a try,” Wasim said.
“I wanted to retire by giving the World Cup to my countrymen but we fared poorly and my dreams were shattered.”
Wasim was one of eight senior players dumped after Pakistan’s first-round exit from the World Cup in March this year.
“But I am sure it would be just a one-off match because I don’t want to block a youngster’s career,” said Wasim, who has yet to chose between commentary and coaching as his future job.
He said it was his dream to have another chance to play against arch rivals India.
“I have heard there are efforts to stage two one-day games between Pakistan and India in September this year. It would be a dream come true if I get one chance against India in Pakistan,” he said.
“I can’t forget our defeat against India in the World Cup so if I get another chance I will definitely end that with a win.
Latif Says England’s Short Tour
Has Long Term Implications
The captain of Pakistan’s revamped cricket team, Rashid Latif, said yesterday that a coming short tour of England will have long-term implications for his young team.
“Despite being a short tour of three one-day matches, this tour will have long term implications and results will guide us how the rebuilding process is shaping,” Latif told AFP.
Pakistan’s team, which leaves from Islamabad early this morning, is engaged in a rebuilding process following their dismal showing at the World Cup this year in South Africa where they failed to make it past the first round.
“I am more than satisfied with the team’s performance since I took over but the England tour will test the skills of these youngsters because of changed conditions,” said Latif, who staged a remarkable comeback on Pakistan’s last tour to England two seasons ago.
