Akram turns down offer to play in S. Africa

By Rizwan Ehsan Ali

ISLAMABAD, OCT. 2. Wasim Akram has preferred to play for his employers Pakistan International Airlines and turned down the offer of South African provincial side Natal. He was approached by Natal after New Zealand abandoned its tour to Pakistan owing to terrorist strikes in the United States last month.

The Natal Cricket Association's president, Dr. Cassem Docrat had approached Akram last month to play for his team in South African league cricket. Natal had offered a contract to Akram as its overseas player Javagal Srinath is nowadays touring South Africa with the Indian team.

The former Pakistan captain, without disclosing the amount Natal had offered him, said he wanted to stay back with his family and play for PIA. ``I want to play in Patron's Trophy and stay with my family,'' the celebrated all-rounder said.

Akram took eight wickets for PIA in a match against National Bank, which has hired the services of current Pakistan captain Waqar Younis and Inzamam-ul-Haq in country's premier first class tournament for departments.

``I have been playing for PIA quite some time and now I think it's right time to play a full tournament for it since Pakistan has no international matches around,'' he said.

Meanwhile another former Test player, Asif Mujtaba has turned down a $ 4,000 per month contract from another South African provincial team, Grequiland. Mujtaba has also informed the South African provincial side that he would prefer to play for PIA in the Patron's Trophy Grade I Tournament.

Akram fuming over Sarfraz's Allegations

Akram rejected former Test paceman Sarfraz Nawaz's claims that he has assets of over Rs. 3 billion. Sarfraz reportedly told the one-man inquiry commission of Lahore High Court - Justice Karamat Nazir Bhandari - that Akram's assets should be checked along with those of former Test players Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmed.

The Bhandari commission is holding an inquiry into the allegations that Pakistan's games against Bangladesh and India, in the last World Cup in England in 1999, were fixed.

``I have had my assets checked in the recent past by other inquiries and I have nothing to hide,'' said Akram said. ``I just hope that the inquiry commission gives serious thought to only credible people and reports. I am sick of such instances where anyone can just make a random accusation against you without any substance to back it up''.

``I have nothing to hide. All my assets have been checked in the past. I just want an accountability system for people who make baseless accusations and than just walk away. If they are proved wrong they should be held responsible for damaging the reputation of others.''

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Section  : Sport
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