‘Wasim, Waqar failed to groom youngsters’

Wasim Akram, the first bowler to take 500 ODI wickets, has been partly blamed by his former colleague for Pakistan’s current bowling worries. PHOTO: AFP

ABU DHABI: Former Pakistan fast-bowler Mohammad Akram has blamed the retired duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis for Pakistan’s fast-bowling crisis, saying they failed to groom youngsters during their playing days.

Akram, currently working as a television commentator for the UAE series, played nine Tests and 23 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for Pakistan and was widely tipped for a long international career, longer than the five years that he spent playing for Pakistan.

“My complaint with Wasim and Younis is that they didn’t try and groom bowlers to take over after they retired,” Akram told The Express Tribune. “It’s really unfortunate that they failed to transfer their skills and expertise like Sarfraz Nawaz and Imran Khan did in their time.

“Imran groomed the duo but they left nothing behind. They walked away without giving Pakistan any sort of backup. They do have their own personal records, which I admire them for, but the result is that today we don’t have a line of bowlers to fall back on.”

Akram also rued his limited opportunity for Pakistan, at a time when Wasim and Younis were immovable.

“I was unfortunate that I had a very limited playing career because Wasim and Younis were on at their peak and despite being with the team, I was a backup player and that was hurting me. However, all credit to them as they were hungry for success and immensely talented. I can only say that I was there at the wrong time.”

Not a huge swinger of the ball, Akram relied on off-the-pitch movement and his unerring line and stamina made him a real prospect for Pakistan. Discarded after a wicketless home Test against New Zealand in November 1996, Akram grabbed five wickets against Australia on his return three years later. Pakistan went on to lose that match by an innings and Akram played only two more Tests before deciding to call it a day.

“I was a good bowler and wanted to play for my country but I hardly got any chances. It was very frustrating for me, especially when I would get a match after months of waiting so with time, my interest in playing for Pakistan gradually phased out. Therefore, I decided to give up when I was  dropped for the match after my five-wicket haul.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2010.