Pakistan's star all-rounder Wasim Akram who became only the fourth bowler in Test history to complete 400 wickets at the SSC grounds yesterday said he was looking forward to playing for another year and a half.
"About two years ago my aim was to get 400 wickets and I have got it by the grace of God. I think the way I am bowling ,the way my fitness is, I can play for another year and a half and see how many wickets I can get," said the 34-year-old veteran of 96 Tests. Akram came into the Test match needing two wickets to reach the milestone, but he had to wait until the Sri Lanka second innings to achieve it.
"It looked like the 400 wickets wasn't gonna come soon, but it came at the right time. I didn't have the luck in the first innings, but I believe God Almighty wanted me to get some runs and then get the 400 wickets," said Akram.
The left-handed all-rounder first rescued his team with a defiant knock of 78 in 245 minutes before returning to have Russel Arnold caught by Mohammed Wasim at second slip for his 400th Test wicket.
"I think from where we came and where we are now generally, I wouldn't have got a century. Coming at no. 8 and to get a hundred is the dream of every all-rounder. I tried, but I got a good ball and was bowled," said Akram.
He said the pitch was 'definitely result-oriented' and added: "It is suiting the Sri Lankan bowlers more than ours, especially with (Muthiah) Muralitharan there. He is a world class bowler and he doesn't get tired," he said .
Akram said that former Pakistan all-rounder Imran Khan had a great positive influence in his cricketing career and that he learnt all the techniques and mentality of bowling from him. He also said that Javed Miandad, the present coach and Mudassar Nazar, a former player had also helped him a lot.
Wasim's advice to youngsters was: "At any level of cricket you have to work hard, be focused, and be mentally very tough to go through the rough patches and periods and hang on there. God will then help you".
He said the fast bowling trend was set by Imran Khan. "Then I came and then Waqar (Younis). The youngsters want to see wickets flying and every youngster in Pakistan wants to be a fast bowler," said Akram.
� The Daily News |
