Wasim Akram did not expect money
In an interview to Gulf News, the former captain of Pakistan team—Wasim Akram—shared the memories of his early days of playing the game.
One of the most lethal bowlers of his time recalls his
mirthful encounter with the then skipper of the team, Javed Miandad.
First part of the talk was filled with the stories of his
getting selected for Pakistan.
“I got picked to play for Pakistan after I bowled
brilliantly to the great Javed Miandad who came to the nets of a coaching camp
that I attended. One of the selectors saw me bowl well and picked me for a
first-class game against New Zealand,” said Akram.
The 51-year-old seems to remember his bowling figures in his
debut first-class game that led to his National team selection as well.
“In my debut first-class game, I took seven wickets for 50
runs and two wickets in the second innings, for a nine-wicket haul. Then I got
picked for the New Zealand tour,” he added.
The bowler with the most number of hat-tricks in all formats
of the game used to think that professional players do not get paid for
representing their country. And his lack of knowledge gave Miandad an opportunity
to show his humorous side.
“After getting picked, when I asked my captain Miandad as to
how much money I should be taking with me for the tour. Miandad replied,
‘Rupees 100,000.’ That, to me, in 1984 was a lot of money. When I told him I
would not be able to come as my dad would not give me that much money, he
started laughing,” the Sultan of Swing said.
“Frankly, I never knew players get paid for playing cricket
and that too for the country!” he added.
