November 14 Thursday 2002
Experienced Wasim is available for SA Test series

LAHORE: Pakistan's experienced all-rounder and former skipper Wasim Akram has shown his keenness to play Test series against South Africa commencing later this month.

"I am concentrating on one-day matches for the time being but I offer my availability for the Test matches as well subject to the willingness of the team captain and selectors," Wasim Akram told newsmen during a Super League match here on Wednesday.

He said Pakistan team was quite unpredictable in the way they played the game but had the ability to bounce back any time. "We have come back many times after below-par show and "Our top players like Inzamam and Youhana have performed well against Zimbabwe and young players are also doing good with bat and ball which is a good sign for the team," Wasim maintained.

He added that standing of the Pakistan team in the forthcoming World Cup depended largely on its performance in the ten one-day matches to be played before that mega event. To a question Wasim said India and Pakistan should revive cricketing ties as people of both countries wanted to see two cricket giants meet each other. He argued that if hockey could be played between India and Pakistan then what was stopping them to play cricket," asked the

He said he was anxiously waiting to play against India in the forthcoming World Cup for which he had planned sriously. Replying to a query regarding the opening pair of the team, Wasim said that beside s Taufeeq and Afridi selectors would have to look for a third opening batsman before finalizing the World Cup squad.

Wasim Akram said he did not find himself suitable for the post of coach of the national team at present moment as it was a serious job that demanded a lot of hard work but he might think for something like that after ten years.

Wasim said that he would retire after playing World Cup 2003 and that was his final decision. Commenting on the disturbance created by the Indian spectators during the ongoing India-West Indies series, he said that host of the series should be penalized and player's security be granted.

He criticized match referee for awarding match to the host country applying D/L method after disturbance caused by its supporters. Wasim hailed PCB for holding Ramzan Cup one-day tournament. "It would help youngsters to learn a lot playing in this tounament. It helped me to regain my rhythm before leaving to Zimbabwe for One-day series," he said. Wasim urged senior play to play domestic cricket when they were available in the country.