"I retired 17 years ago and people still use my name to further themselves" : Wasim Akram

[MenInG]

Wasim Akram speaking on a motivational video

"Imran Khan told me that the time to bowl and develop your muscles is exactly when you are tired and dont feel like bowling any more"

"When I was going on my first tour of New Zealand, I asked Javed Miandad that how much money should I take with me? he said take 1 Lakh Rupees! I told him that is so much money, my father wont give me that so he laughed and said he was joking - we would be paid for this tour; So I was shocked to know that you get paid for playing cricket"

"I have spend 10 years with our PM on the field and when he came into politics 22 years ago, people made fun of him saying the same Imran Khan couldmt even talk to people, how could he do this?"

"After 22 years of perseverance he is there"

"Take the negativity of people as a challenge - use that as motivation and dont bring yourself down because of them; This should start a fire inside you when you hear such stuff; Remember we have all made mistakes, I have made a lot of mistakes; If I am allowed to go back in time, the mistake I would not make again is picking up friends with care; Of course you cannot be choosy about childhood friends but the ones in later years, you need to be careful about and to make sure that their principles are good; They should be those who motivate you"

"These negative phases come on everyone, especially when I hear negative stuff being said about me; I retired 17 years ago and people still use my name to further themselves (dukan chamkatay hain) - but I put that in the back of my mind (ignore them); I dont have time for negative people now, and never will"

"I say this to all the younger players - look if you dont know English that is fine as that is not our language but atleast learn to speak Urdu correctly"

"Lot of people ask me, why dont you write a book? If I write a book and given what I know about Pakistan cricket issues off the field, I will probably upset a lot of people and ruin some people including myself"

"There are 2 unwritten contracts in life - trust and loyalty; Some people dont know about these and for a little fame they speak lies and destroy others lives and move on

 

[sweep_shot]

Wasim has a point. People need to move on. No point in bringing up past.

 

[Rana]

Wasim has a point. People need to move on. No point in bringing up past.

My view is, if his past was the reason for another man’s downfall, then he should also stand up and take his punishment.

Just imagine, Cameron Bancroft is pressurised by the Australian government let alone ACB to take the entire blame of Sandpaper gate on his shoulders just so they can save the image of the Australian captain and leadership group. 20 years from now, Bancroft will be living in depression for his decision to taking the fall whilst Smith and Warner would be in the ICC’s hall of fame and still earning millions from the game. However, They did the honourable thing at that moment and took the fall as the leaders. Wasim needs to see who’s lives/reputations have been destroyed because of his personal image. If it doesn’t haunt him to see Ata ur Rehman behaving like an absolute mad man, then I doubt anything would.

 

[ManFan]

Maybe you should own up to your sins in the past?

He’s beyond fortunate along with the other team that their court proceedings occurred during the time of a military coup that needed to win the support of the public.

 

[sweep_shot]

My view is, if his past was the reason for another man’s downfall, then he should also stand up and take his punishment.

Just imagine, Cameron Bancroft is pressurised by the Australian government let alone ACB to take the entire blame of Sandpaper gate on his shoulders just so they can save the image of the Australian captain and leadership group. 20 years from now, Bancroft will be living in depression for his decision to taking the fall whilst Smith and Warner would be in the ICC’s hall of fame and still earning millions from the game. However, They did the honourable thing at that moment and took the fall as the leaders. Wasim needs to see who’s lives/reputations have been destroyed because of his personal image. If it doesn’t haunt him to see Ata ur Rehman behaving like an absolute mad man, then I doubt anything would.

I know what you are saying but these stuffs can be quite distracting for present PCB. It is better not to dig up past events.

Wasim Akram should apologize and compensate privately. Making these things public can cause more problems.

 

[Savak]

People have called Akhtar so many things but no one can accuse him of match fixing. Akram has a more acceptable reputation worldwide but everyone cribs about him being a politician and a match fixer. Can there be smoke without fire?

 

[Faizhassan]

People have called Akhtar so many things but no one can accuse him of match fixing. Akram has a more acceptable reputation worldwide but everyone cribs about him being a politician and a match fixer. Can there be smoke without fire?

Not being a match fixer is somewhat a trivial offense. I mean the guy was going through doping scandal, was hitting his team mates with bat, had problems with just about every team management. So there is enough "red" in Shoaib's ledger regardless of match fixing.

Wasim does have a point, all these Basit Ali's and Miandad would not get anywhere near an international commentary panel or IPL coaching setup. All they can do is that earn some cheap bucks, and they can do it by coming up with catchy headlines on "Har Lamha Purjosh" or their youtube channel.

 

[MenInG]

Wasim has moved on but these others cant seem to do that.

 

[CleverSir]

"Lot of people ask me, why dont you write a book? If I write a book and given what I know about Pakistan cricket issues off the field, I will probably upset a lot of people and ruin some people including myself" - Wasim

This is the key quote. It is also the right mindset. People need to move on. Why should he open his mouth and get tangled up in nonsense that will put his own life and livelihood in danger? He has a a family that he seems happy spending his time with and enjoys his life how he wants. He owes no one anything.

 

[RickyG]

Not being a match fixer is somewhat a trivial offense. I mean the guy was going through doping scandal, was hitting his team mates with bat, had problems with just about every team management. So there is enough "red" in Shoaib's ledger regardless of match fixing.

Wasim does have a point, all these Basit Ali's and Miandad would not get anywhere near an international commentary panel or IPL coaching setup. All they can do is that earn some cheap bucks, and they can do it by coming up with catchy headlines on "Har Lamha Purjosh" or their youtube channel.

At least they didn’t sell their country and integrity for money.

I’m sure that’s what really bothers Wasim and his conscience. The fear of the truth one day coming out and causing his castle to cave probably haunts him.

I’d rather have cricketers serve their countries with integrity than be concerned with whether they’ll make good commentators post-retirement. It’s a superficial and idiotic way to judge someone’s cricketing ability and character.

I can take a good guess where you’re from and it seems to be the norm there. From cricketers to politicians to the common man, everyone’s lacking integrity and a moral compass.

 

[RickyG]

Wasim has moved on but these others cant seem to do that.

I can understand why people don’t want to move on until Wasim pays his dues for allegedly fixing games.

 

[Kaddy]

At least they didn’t sell their country and integrity for money.

I’m sure that’s what really bothers Wasim and his conscience. The fear of the truth one day coming out and causing his castle to cave probably haunts him.

I’d rather have cricketers serve their countries with integrity than be concerned with whether they’ll make good commentators post-retirement. It’s a superficial and idiotic way to judge someone’s cricketing ability and character.

I can take a good guess where you’re from and it seems to be the norm there. From cricketers to politicians to the common man, everyone’s lacking integrity and a moral compass.

Basit ali was involved in the match fixing.
Kindly read the Justice Qayyum report again, if you haven't till now.

 

[Savak]

Wasim has moved on but these others cant seem to do that.

Ofcourse he moved on or is desperate to move on after escaping by the skin of his teeth in 2000. Aamir Sohail is correct that if the PCB, ECB and international teams, Broadcast media is accomodating all the players named in the Qayyum report who got fined, censured then the PCB has to ensure that everyone gets accomodated without discrimination. You can't have a situation where there is one rule for Wasim Akram, Mohd Amir, Sharjeel Khan but another rule for Atta ur Rehman, Salman Butt, Mohd Asif, Salim Malik otherwise you are going to invite resentment and episodes like this that we are witnessing now

 

[MenInG]

Ofcourse he moved on or is desperate to move on after escaping by the skin of his teeth in 2000. Aamir Sohail is correct that if the PCB, ECB and international teams, Broadcast media is accomodating all the players named in the Qayyum report who got fined, censured then the PCB has to ensure that everyone gets accomodated without discrimination. You can't have a situation where there is one rule for Wasim Akram, Mohd Amir, Sharjeel Khan but another rule for Atta ur Rehman, Salman Butt, Mohd Asif, Salim Malik otherwise you are going to invite resentment and episodes like this that we are witnessing now

Your comments are exactly what I meant. He has moved on because if there was a case to answer, he would have answered it. People need to let go and look at what is happening now and fix that.

 

[Savak]

Your comments are exactly what I meant. He has moved on because if there was a case to answer, he would have answered it. People need to let go and look at what is happening now and fix that.

Well we can't conclude that there is no case to answer yet. Its only a matter of time where the more noise people in the media make against him, if Malik submits his answers to explain his NOTW sting operation video and transcripts to the PCB and ICC and his Wasim's name gets mentioned again, the entire case can get opened again.

 

[MenInG]

Well we can't conclude that there is no case to answer yet. Its only a matter of time where the more noise people in the media make against him, if Malik submits his answers to explain his NOTW sting operation video and transcripts to the PCB and ICC and his Wasim's name gets mentioned again, the entire case can get opened again.

You heard of the double jeopardy thing? You cannot try him twice on this - its finished and sooner people stop wasting energies on this and move on, the better for everyone.

I can understand the former cricketers trying to make some bucks of youtube appearances etc, I dont see what normal people have to gain from this.

Fact is Wasim is respected the world over - like it or not - he remains Pakistan's pride and joy.

 

[Savak]

You heard of the double jeopardy thing? You cannot try him twice on this - its finished and sooner people stop wasting energies on this and move on, the better for everyone.

I can understand the former cricketers trying to make some bucks of youtube appearances etc, I dont see what normal people have to gain from this.

Fact is Wasim is respected the world over - like it or not - he remains Pakistan's pride and joy.

Wasim was not exonerated, the report just gave him the benefit of the doubt. This was not even a supreme court commission, the decision of the Malik Qayyum Commission can be subject to a review and appeal.

People want the truth about the match fixing racket in the 90's in the Pakistani team.

 

[Zaz]

You heard of the double jeopardy thing? You cannot try him twice on this - its finished and sooner people stop wasting energies on this and move on, the better for everyone.

I can understand the former cricketers trying to make some bucks of youtube appearances etc, I dont see what normal people have to gain from this.

Fact is Wasim is respected the world over - like it or not - he remains Pakistan's pride and joy.

He hasnt been tried tho I amongst others would like this concluded once and for all as things stand it hasnt been

Wasim of course hs moved on Hes done well out of all this whereas many others havent

 

[MenInG]

Some quotes from an insta chat he did with Shoaib Akhtar (mostly was a cookery class of some sort!)

Wasim Akram

"The endgame for us bowlers is to take wickets; If I had tried very hard to bowl bouncers then maybe I wouldnt have taken so many wickets; The real way to use the bouncer is to make the batsman think that one is on its way; If you keep on bowling a bouncer then you become too predictable - I always wanted to be unpredictable"

"There is no doubt that there is a lot of satisfaction from hitting a batsman"

"1991, 1992 and 1993 were my best years although, in 1989 I knew that I had the pace; I had the control and ability to move the ball both ways, idea of using bouncers and knew when to use a yorker - those 4 years were very enjoyable"


Shoaib Akhtar

"Saqlain has a fragile personality and if you (Wasim) had not supported him then he would not have been what he is now"

 

[Savak]

Some quotes from an insta chat he did with Shoaib Akhtar (mostly was a cookery class of some sort!)

Wasim Akram

"The endgame for us bowlers is to take wickets; If I had tried very hard to bowl bouncers then maybe I wouldnt have taken so many wickets; The real way to use the bouncer is to make the batsman think that one is on its way; If you keep on bowling a bouncer then you become too predictable - I always wanted to be unpredictable"

"There is no doubt that there is a lot of satisfaction from hitting a batsman"

"1991, 1992 and 1993 were my best years although, in 1989 I knew that I had the pace; I had the control and ability to move the ball both ways, idea of using bouncers and knew when to use a yorker - those 4 years were very enjoyable"


Shoaib Akhtar

"Saqlain has a fragile personality and if you (Wasim) had not supported him then he would not have been what he is now"

They didn't do the cooking live video chat for free. I am sure Engro paid them a decent amount for their time and effort.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Aamir Sohail is just a next generation Sarfaraz Nawaz he lives off speaking nonsense. Didn't he threw his wicket away trying to taunt Venkatash Parsad that turned the whole match (resulting in our exit from the 1996 world cup). In 1996 Srilanka was clearly the strongest team as was Australia in 2003. Only world cup Pakistan could have won was the 1999 But Batting failed in a typical Pakistani Fashion.
Amir Sohail statement would have sounded some what credible had he only mentioned 1999 world cup, But 1996 and 2003 who is he kidding.

 

[MenInG]

Former left-arm pacer Wasim Akram has bowled several memorable spells, but one in particular he won’t remember fondly is against Viv Richards of the once-mighty West Indies. Akram, during a video chat, revealed how bowling well to Richards pumped him up to an extent that he minced a few words to the batsman, which did not go down too well with Richards.

The incident took place during the third Test of Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies in 1987-88, and even after all these years, Akram considers himself lucky to have narrowly escaped the wrath of Richards.

“He would have hit me a lot in 1988. He was a muscular guy and I was very skinny. It was the last over of the match and I was bowling at a good pace. I had realised by then that I have become fast. Viv Richards realised I was a difficult bowler and thought I have a quick-arm action. I bowled a bouncer at him and his cap fell down. Someone like Viv Richards dropping his cap was a big deal,” Akram told Aakash Chopra.

“There used to be no match referee back then and I went up to him and sledged in him in my broken English. He spat after staring at me and said ‘don’t do this man’. I understood nothing but just the man word. I said ‘ok, no worries’ and went to my captain Imran Khan and told him that Richards is asking me not to abuse him , or else he’ll beat me up. Imran told me not to worry and bowl him bouncers. I bowled him a bouncer and abused him after he ducked. On the last ball of the day I bowled an in-swinger and he was bowled. I even went up to him and gave him a good send off, shouting things like ‘go back and all’”.

And that is what led Akram to almost draw the wrath of Richards. After going back to their respective dressing room at the end of the day’s play, as a tired Akram was taking off his shoes, he was asked by a guy firmly to come out. As it turned out, Richards was waiting to give Akram a piece of his mind, but the left-armer was quick to apologise and Richards opted to forgive him.

“When I went out I saw Viv Richards standing without his shirt. He was sweating and having his bat in his hand, he also had his pads on. I got scared and ran back to Imran Khan. I told him that Viv Richards was waiting for me with a bat in his hand. Imran Khan told ‘what should I do. It’s your fight, go and handle it’. I went out and told him sorry. I told him that nothing of this sort will happen again and he said you better not, I will kill you. My street smartness worked for me then,” Akram said.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...e-great-man/story-NGLdewQ6HNx22S8oxf2IiK.html

 

[Bhaijaan]

Former left-arm pacer Wasim Akram has bowled several memorable spells, but one in particular he won’t remember fondly is against Viv Richards of the once-mighty West Indies. Akram, during a video chat, revealed how bowling well to Richards pumped him up to an extent that he minced a few words to the batsman, which did not go down too well with Richards.

The incident took place during the third Test of Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies in 1987-88, and even after all these years, Akram considers himself lucky to have narrowly escaped the wrath of Richards.

“He would have hit me a lot in 1988. He was a muscular guy and I was very skinny. It was the last over of the match and I was bowling at a good pace. I had realised by then that I have become fast. Viv Richards realised I was a difficult bowler and thought I have a quick-arm action. I bowled a bouncer at him and his cap fell down. Someone like Viv Richards dropping his cap was a big deal,” Akram told Aakash Chopra.

“There used to be no match referee back then and I went up to him and sledged in him in my broken English. He spat after staring at me and said ‘don’t do this man’. I understood nothing but just the man word. I said ‘ok, no worries’ and went to my captain Imran Khan and told him that Richards is asking me not to abuse him , or else he’ll beat me up. Imran told me not to worry and bowl him bouncers. I bowled him a bouncer and abused him after he ducked. On the last ball of the day I bowled an in-swinger and he was bowled. I even went up to him and gave him a good send off, shouting things like ‘go back and all’”.

And that is what led Akram to almost draw the wrath of Richards. After going back to their respective dressing room at the end of the day’s play, as a tired Akram was taking off his shoes, he was asked by a guy firmly to come out. As it turned out, Richards was waiting to give Akram a piece of his mind, but the left-armer was quick to apologise and Richards opted to forgive him.

“When I went out I saw Viv Richards standing without his shirt. He was sweating and having his bat in his hand, he also had his pads on. I got scared and ran back to Imran Khan. I told him that Viv Richards was waiting for me with a bat in his hand. Imran Khan told ‘what should I do. It’s your fight, go and handle it’. I went out and told him sorry. I told him that nothing of this sort will happen again and he said you better not, I will kill you. My street smartness worked for me then,” Akram said.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...e-great-man/story-NGLdewQ6HNx22S8oxf2IiK.html

If Wasim Akram is not lying here then does this story does not actually show Viv Richards in a good light. Yeah picking up a fight off the field with a teenager rookie after he humbled you on the ground. Very brave of Viv. Even Gautam Gambhir, the alpha male that he was, would not do that.

 

[MenInG]

Wasim Akram is the latest to weigh in on the never-ending Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar and feels when it comes to mental toughness, the former India batsman edges out the current captain of the Indian team. Wasim, who has bowled plenty to Tendulkar during their playing days, believes if he were to bowl to Kohli, the chances of getting him out would be more than the man he’s often compared to.

“He (Virat) is a modern great. Compared to Sachin, two different players altogether. He’s very aggressive, as a person, as a batsman – positive aggression. Sachin was calm and yet aggressive; different body language. So as a bowler you read that as well,” Akram told Aakash Chopra on his YouTube Channel.

“Sachin knew that if I would try and sledge him, he would get even more determined. This is my take and I might be wrong. If I am to sledge Kohli will lose his temper. So, when a batsman gets angry, perhaps he will attack you and that is when you have the maximum chances of getting him out.”

However, as far as breaking Tendulkar’s records are concerned, Akram doubts the India captain top them all. Kohli, with 43 ODI tons, is closing in on Tendulkar’s records of 49 centuries in one-dayers, and is likely to become the first batsman to 50 ODI tons soon. But as far as the other plethora of batting records that Tendulkar owns, Akram appears sceptical of Kohli’s chances of getting there.

“As far as his technique is concerned, no doubt Virat Kohli is a nightmare for bowlers now a days. He is supremely fit; he looks good. He enjoys his fielding and he does whatever a leader is supposed to do. You can just see and figure it out,” Akram said.


“I’m a straight shooter; I say what I feel. I can’t compare them both but I think, Virat Kohli will go places and he will break so many records. Can he break Sachin’s record? I doubt it. He has far too many records man. He’s getting there but there’s time.”

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...i-tendulkar/story-KRqgjWgiSpmHlMomPbJjaI.html

 

[Bhaijaan]

Tendulkar had issues against Aaqib Javed who was a beautiful swing bowler, a better version of Rana Naved.

Later Razzaq's change if pace troubled him.

I don't specifically recall Wasim or Waqar ever troubling Sachin. Sachin had wood over both We during his career.

Contest with Saqlain and Shoaib were balanced, sometimes they had Sachin and sometimes Sachin smashed them.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Aaqib is Pakistan's unsung hero of the 1990s

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan's legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram reckoned that India's Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami as well as Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi would go on to have a great future and said that their goal should be to take 400 or more Test wickets.

Akram, known as the 'Sultan of Swing' during his heydays,where he could move the ball both ways, also felt that England's James Anderson is the complete bowler at the moment, with many others waiting in the ranks to usurp his throne.

"In Test matches, it is Anderson. He already has 500 wickets. True, his pace has dropped but he is still unplayable in England," Akram told former Indian opener Aakash Chopra in a long Facebook chat titled 'AakashVani: Let's talk cricket, featuring Wasim Akram Part 2, on Wednesday.

"He swings the ball both ways and does it with the new ball. And he can reverse swing. So, I feel he's a complete bowler at the moment," added the former left-arm quick

Jimmy Anderson is currently the fourth highest wicket-taker in Tests with 584 wickets behind Sri Lankan ace Muttiah Muralitharan, Australian spin wizard Shane Warne and Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble.

The 37-year-old is ahead of Australian line-and-length master Glenn McGrath.

Akram, who snaffled 414 Test wickets in 104 matches and an astonishing 502 scalps in 356 ODIs, said that bowlers like India's Bumrah, Shami, Afridi, Australia's Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood are the bunch of young fast men who will lead the line in the future.

"As far as the future is concerned, Bumrah is there, Shami is there, there's Shaheen Shah Afridi from Pakistan, Pat Cummins from Australia, Mitchell Starc. I also like Hazelwood because his length is awkward. But I don't know how he would bowl on such wickets here but on wickets in Australia and England, he's quite dangerous. But their goal should be to get at least 400 Test wickets," felt Akram.

In the freewheeling conversation, Akram, who struck a lethal partnership with pace twin Waqar Younis, also spoke on a variety of topics ranging from retirement, his mentor and coaching role in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), his advice to bowlers, what is ailing Pakistan cricket, comparison between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Pakistan's Babar Azam, the pace battery emerging from Pakistan and the dearth of spinners in his country.

Excerpts:
On when to hang up your boots...

It is definitely a difficult decision, no doubt. To retire from any sport, especially for a top player, it is tough. But there is a time for everything. For me, the Pakistan Cricket Board had made my life easy, decision making, they dropped me. You know, everyday was a pain. Going to the game, I wasn't enjoying it and I thought that's a sign. I spoke to my late wife who was in Pakistan with me. And she said that if your heart isn't there and if you are cursing yourself everyday, so it means it is time to go. So, I announced my retirement (in 2003). So, that was it."

On the advice to bowlers while mentoring them in the IPL, PSL...

That's a very valid question. Explaining it is really difficult and you're right, many people cannot do it. Even some of the greats of the game find it tough to explain. So, that is also an art. Depending on a young player's psychology, his mindset, you have to explain to him accordingly. You shouldn't give too much information. So, what I do is I tell them to ask the questions. I tell Shami to ask me, I tell Kuldeep (Yadav) the same thing. This is the scenario, what needs to be done. I've already been hit for two sixes and as a spinner, how do I make a comeback. I have to take wickets. In the T20s, my job as a bowler is to take wickets. I do speak to them about the bowling action and the length but mostly talk about how to fox a batsman. If, in a T20 game, if you have to bowl two of the last four overs, before you run into bowl a ball, you need to have three plans already...plan A, plan B and plan C. If the batsman moves, what do I have to do, if he crosses, what do I do, if he charges, what do I do. So, for all three, you need a plan on what I will do in each situation. If you go in with just one plan, chances are you will get hit.

(Akram was the bowling consultant for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. He was the director and bowling coach at Islamabad United in the PSL, the same posts which he held at the Multan Sultans. He is currently the chairman and bowling coach of the Karachi Kings)

On Pakistan's dip in international cricket before...

Because whoever came to the cricket board, they came with short-term goals. During the chairman's tenure, they hoped for things to be good during that period. So, the first class structure was not set right. They continued doing what has been done over the past 30 years. So, this is one of the reasons. There is talent. First class cricket has changed but it will take three to four years to bore fruit. India did that. India put the IPL money into first-class cricket. When you put money on something, the results do come. If you don't put in the money in first-class as much, which India have done over the past 10 years, which I've seen the first-class structure, pay structure change, professionals came in, best physios in the world, best trainers, also retired Indian cricketers have now become good coaches, players also have individual coaches, which is the need of the hour. They are investing in the players. So, that's a good thinking by the Indian players that they are making the money but are also putting it back into their game. That's the big difference.

On comparing Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli...

He's (Kohli) the modern great. They are two different players altogether. He's very aggressive as a person, as a batsman, positive aggressive, controlled. Sachin was calm but yet aggressive, different body language both of them. So, as a bowler, you study body language. If I tried to sledge Sachin, he would become more determined. This is my take, I might be wrong. But if I did the same to Kohli, he would get angry. And if a batsman gets angry on you, he will attack you, and when he attacks, there are more chances of you getting him out. But as far as his technique is concerned, no doubt he's a nightmare for bowlers. Physically, he's supremely fit, he looks good, he enjoys his fielding and what a leader has to do, he does that. You can figure that out by watching him. You can't compare both of them. But I think Kohli will go places, he will break so many records. I don't know if he can break Sachin's record, he's getting there but there's still time for that.

On Babar Azam being the next Javed Miandad or Zaheer Abbas of Pakistan...

Yes because I've been working with him over the past two years in the PSL at Karachi Kings. I like his attitude, his way of doing things, his focus, he wants to be the best in the world and he knows how much hard work is required to be the best or to be compared to Kohli, Kane Williamson and all the top guns of the world. So, he's definitely there. He's the No.1 T20 player and he is in the top four in ODIs. He made a hundred in the Tests in Australia recently, he made 99, so, he's definitely getting there, no doubt. He's got the potential and I think he is very, very consistent and he's also a treat to watch. He's easy on the eyes.

On the next big fast bowler from Pakistan...

I like Shaheen Shah Afridi. The left-armer, he's six foot five, he swings the ball, he's got pace, he's young. Our fast bowling is actually improving now. The new boy Naseem Shah, who bowls at 150kmph, he's actually quick.

On Pakistan spinners not being in the same class of Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed...

We are struggling when it comes to spin. We have Yasir Shah who plays Tests, Shadab (Khan) is there in T20 and ODIs, but his calibre is not the same as Saqlain or Mushy, (Abdul) Qadir or Saeed Ajmal. So, we don't have a good off-spinner in the country. We have Bilal Asif but nobody picks him in the PSL. We are struggling when it comes to spinners and the PCB needs to have a look at it.


https://www.khaleejtimes.com/bumrah-shami-afridi-the-future-of-fast-bowling-reckons-akram

 

[MenInG]

Is there any batsman in the world who would like to face Wasim Akram at his best? Not many in their right mind would want to take on the legendary left-armer, nicknamed 'Sultan of Swing' at his prime and Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal is no different. In his truest essence, Wasim was the meanest and deadliest challenger, the modern game has known.

Tamim hosted a Facebook live chat featuring former Bangladesh cricketers Minhajul Abedin, Khaled Masud and Akram Khan with Wasim joining the chat as a special guest on Tuesday night. In a very lively discussion where all three colossal cricketing figures of Bangladesh and Wasim took a walk down the memory lane, reminiscing about their playing times, Wasim mentioned how he would be up for the challenge and would have loved the battle between him and two of Bangladesh's current stalwarts -- Tamim and Shakib -- if he were still playing the game.

Just before Wasim said his goodbyes, Tamim mentioned how lucky he is that he does not have to face Wasim.

"We are very lucky, Wasim bhai. I don't want to face you anyway. We are very lucky that you are not playing," said Tamim as everyone shared a laugh.

However, Wasim fancied a good battle with two of Bangladesh's top players.

"But it would have been a very good battle. Especially against you and Shakib. Being a left-hander, it would have been a very good battle," said Wasim as he made a gesture of swinging the ball.

But still, Tamim would not budge as he probably did not even want to imagine facing the king.

"I am happy sitting at my home. I don't want to face you no matter what," said Tamim, who appeared to be as relived as any modern batsman should be.

Considering Wasim's incredible career record -- 502 wickets in 356 ODIs and 414 scalps in 104 Tests -- Tamim's reaction was not at all surprising.

https://www.thedailystar.net/sports...battle-against-shakib-and-tamim-wasim-1904362

 

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On any given day and on any given pitch, Wasim Akram was the deadliest bowler a batsman could face during the time the eternal genius played the game. Bangladesh former captain Akram Khan, however, had the better of the Pakistan captain during an Asia Cup game in 1995.

Akram revealed the story of how he turned the tables on Wasim during a Facebook live chat with Tamim Iqbal where Wasim himself made a cameo appearance.

A beaming Wasim Akram showed up on Tamim's live Facebook meet on Tuesday night. There was some opportunity for remembrance of the golden days of the past, a shared past of Bangladesh cricketers enjoying cricket playing against the likes of Wasim. The former Pakistan paceman may have been forgetful of many of the incidents that happened over a long and exciting career, but Akram Khan reminded him of a particularly comical story that should tickle the bones of any cricket lover.

The story comes from the 1995 Asia Cup where Bangladesh played alongside India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Wasim was at his enthralling best and in Pakistan's match against India on April 7, had hit Sachin Tendulkar with a bouncer a day before the match against Bangladesh the next day. The Bangladesh players knew what they would be facing the next day.

"Wasim bhai do you remember what happened in the Asia Cup in Sharjah?"

Wasim said 'only vaguely' and Akram said with a smile, "I will remind you."

"A day before, against India, you bowled a bouncer to Sachin Tendulkar and then you also won the match. Then the day after you arrived and I was captain of Bangladesh. It was very hot that day and you asked me, 'Akram, if you win the toss, what will you do?' I said that we will field first.

"You asked, 'are you sure?' and I said yes. So, you said that, 'okay, today is very hot so I will not go for warm-up. Then, when I am going for the toss, [Minhajul Abedin] Nannu bhai said to me that 'why are you going for fielding? They will score 300 runs. Better if you win and take batting'.

"So, I took batting after winning the toss."

Akram chose to take batting that day and Wasim wasn't happy. "You came to my dressing room and said 'Akram, you come and I will see you [on the field]'."

Wasim started clapping as he cried out, "I remember now".

Akram, with an ear-to-ear grin said: "Oh man, I was scared like anything that day."

Bangladesh did manage to play out 50 overs in that match even as Pakistan won by six wickets. However, it is not difficult to imagine the cold sweat that shivered Akram on that very hot day in Sharjah.

https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/bangladesh-cricket/news/when-akram-pulled-fast-one-wasim-1904368