Wasim Akram explains how differently he is treated in India and Pakistan
Pakistan Fan, Wasim Akram, Indian fans (Image Credit: Twitter)
Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram is one of the greatest pacers in world cricket. In ODIs, he is still the all-time second-highest wicket-taker with 503 wickets. He was the number till Muthiah Muralitharan broke his record in 2009. Meanwhile, the 1992 World Cup winner is considered one of the greatest ODI players and is included in all-time ODI playing by fans and critics.
However, there is one thing that bothers the former left-arm pacer. Apparently, in his nation, Akram doesn’t enjoy that much respect in comparison to the rest of the world. He has always been alleged to be involved in match-fixing that happened in world cricket in the 90s era. The Lahore player was speaking to the Wide World of Sports on the launch of his autobiography ‘Sultan Wasim Akram’. He said that in other parts of the world, fans consider him while making an all-time playing XI.
On the other hand, in his own country, he has been labeled as a ‘match-fixer’ by the netizens.
“In Australia, England, West Indies and India, when they talk about the World XI, when they talk about the best bowler in the world, my name pops up but in Pakistan, this generation, this social media generation, they are the one who come down, every comment they send, they say, ‘oh, he is a match fixer’, not knowing what it was,” said Akram.
Talking about the match-fixing scandal, former Pakistan player Ata Ur Rahman had alleged that Akram asked him to underperform in exchange for money. However, it was proved false and Rahman was banned for life after he was found guilty of malpractice.
I don’t worry too much about people: Wasim Akram
The former Lancashire player further added that he is now beyond the point of being bothered by people’s opinions.
“I have passed that stage in my life where I have to worry about people,” he stated further.
