‘Can’t wait for India, will quit after WC’

“I would love to say my last hurrah against India in the home series. But you don’t always get what you dream of. At the moment, I have decided to quit after the World Cup and unless something strange happens, I am unlikely to appear against India,” the 36-year-old former captain told the daily, Dawn, in Lahore yesterday.

Immediately after the World Cup, Pakistan is to host India for three Tests and five one-day internationals from April 7. The tour is subject to approval from the Indian government as cricket relations between the two countries have been stalled after the Kargil War. Akram said the World Cup was more important to him than the series against India. “It’s my dream to help Pakistan regain the World Cup and go home with pride. I know all the eyes are focused on World Cup and for me, it is the ultimate challenge,” he said. Akram visited India in 1987 with Imran Khan’s team that won the Test at Bangalore. He later returned to India as Pakistan captain in 1999 and won Tests at Chennai and Kolkata.

“I think I had one of the most fascinating careers. I had my good times and also bad times. But I think at the end of the day, it was worth representing the country and achieve what many can only dream of,” said the ‘Sultan of reverse swing’ . About his plans after retirement, Akram said “I might continue to represent my employers PIA in the domestic circuit and play a few club games in England. But, I want to stay close to the game in the form of grooming and helping budding cricketers, particularly the fast bowlers.”