First edition of PSL is about to start and the excitement is palpable. Teams are finalized and now every franchise is trying to capture support of the fans. Getting big names in your camp is one sure way of capturing popular support and Islamabad United has played a master stroke by bringing in Wasim Akram – arguably the greatest player the country has ever produced – as Cricket Director.
Wasim Akram learned the game on the streets.He was barely in his college team – Islamia College Lahore – when at trials at Qaddafi Stadium, he impressed everyone and got selected for a First Class match against touring New Zealand. Against an experienced test line-up, he got 7 wickets for 50 runs in the first innings and 2 more in the second. At 18, this sums up the talent of the guy.
As soon as he got into the national team Imran Khan took him under his wings. He learnt how to swing the ball, work hard and be a thorough professional. He also learnt to carry himself on and off the field. On the field he was fierce and off it he was charismatic.
But what makes Wasim the greatest? Probably it’s the 916 international wickets or his 4 hat-tricks. May be it’s the way he changed the game from a batman’s to a bowler’s with his sorcery. Probably it’s his completeness – the way he could swing old ball or new and take wickets on green tops or flat tracks. At times it seemed as if he could get your wicket with sheer force of will. But for me he was greatest because he inspired the fans, especially the youth to play this beautiful game. The kids on the streets actually believed that – with or without cola – Wasim Bhai can land the ball on a bottle top and hit the top of off-stump any time he wants. He made them want to be like him.
He also had to go through his fair share of struggles. The reports of grouping in the team and pressures from the Cricket Board threatened his career. Then there was the fight with Diabetes. But through it all, he remained a professional and played the game the way he liked and until he liked. Being handsome and charismatic, he is still a hot commodity in corporate world.
With his immense knowledge, let’s see what he does with Islamabad United. We are already excited!