Wasim Akram, the Sultan of Swing said, “we can’t keep away cricket from Pakistan.” He was quoted as saying by media when he was attending the Masters Champions League (MCL) press conference which will feature retired cricket heroes, to be held in February 2016.
The legendry Pakistani bowler’s statement came just after the Zimbabwe’s tour of Pakistan. Pakistan was barred from hoisting series on their home soil for the last six years following a severe terrorist attack on Sri Lankan team bus. However, hosting Zimbabwe on the home soil has once again revived cricket in Pakistan. Fans came in huge number to support Pakistan beating the heat of 48 degree.
“It should be noted that all the five games against Zimbabwe were packed though it was 48 degrees hot. People were queuing up three to four hours before the game and the whole country watched every ball. This is the passion we have in Pakistan for the game and we cannot keep away cricket from Pakistan,” Akram, who turned 49 on Wednesday, advocated for more international series in Pakistan.
When he was asked about the recent blast just outside the Gaddfi Stadium during a match against Zimbabwe, the holder of 414 Test wickets and 502 ODI wickets said, “I only hope that it will not prevent teams from visiting Pakistan. Everything went smoothly apart for that one incident and that too it is not concrete and nobody knows what really happened in that particular incident.”
He heaped praise on Pakistan Cricket Board for taking initiative to bring back international cricket in the country.
He said, “This is the first step that has been taken by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to bring back cricket to Pakistan and so well done to PCB and thanks to Zimbabwe.”
Meanwhile, when he was asked about his new move to join MCL, a smiling Akram said, “It will be fun and exciting. We are all looking forward to it something very different and which I thought will never happen. Frankly, I never thought I would be asked to come and play a game again, although cricket is the only thing we know.”