With his awesome track record, it came as a surprise to see Wasim Akram kept in limbo over his selection to the Pakistan team for the World Cup. The fearsome Pakistani, who made fast left-hand bowling a statement in the 90s, has achieved almost every distinction possible in his cricketing career and has won more matches for his country than anybody. Did you know? • Akram and controveries seem inseperable. Consider the list: charges of ball-tampering (1992), rebellion against his captaincy (1993), and allegations of match-fixing • Initially hooked to table tennis, it was Akram’s grandmother who initiated him into cricket • Former Pak captain Javed Miandad, seeking practice, faced Akram in the nets and was so impressed with the pace and big inswing that the youngster generated that he named the teenager in a squad for a match against the touring New Zealand team. Greatest WC moment Certainly the 1992 World Cup finals, where Akram was the man of the match and lifted Pakistan to victory over England. That brillaint spell was not to be undermined by the numbers but the quality — Akram’s two wickets changed the complextion of the final. He was also the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 18 wickest from 9 matches. So the irony of his position is brought into sharper focus. His rivalry with bowling partner and captain Waqar Younis is well known, but it’s not the only battle he’s fighting. He’s also looking to get himself absolved by the Justice Qayyum inquiry on match-fixing as soon as possible, preferably before his imminent retirement.Under Akram’s captaincy, Pakistan lost the final of the previous World Cup and his last chance to emulate his mentor Imran Khan in leading Pakistan to a World Cup victory was sealed because of the Qayyum report. As he steps out for his fifth world cup, Akram can still look to inspiring his team as he always does.
