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Tuesday, 12 February 2002  
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Wasim Akram wants to continue playing

KARACHI, Monday (AFP) - Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram said Sunday he had enough motivation to carry on until next year's World Cup, denying that his persistent injury problems had demoralised him.

"Absolutely the real motivation is to help Pakistan win the 2003 World Cup. But besides that I want to be a senior partner and inject in junior players the will to win," Akram told AFP.

"Beating Australia in the home series is another motivation as they are still a team to beat."

Pakistan hosts Australia in September this year for a three-match Test series before ahead of next year's World Cup in South Africa.

After recovering from a hamstring injury, Akram will fly to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on Monday to join the Pakistani team for a three-match limited over series against the West Indies.

"I have been bowling for the last four five days and am feeling well," he said.

"Injuries are part and parcel of the game but they can't demoralize me."

Akram has missed seven of Pakistan's last 11 Tests and bowled only 16 deliveries in the Dhaka test against Bangladesh last month due to hamstring injury.

Akram said he would like ultimately to claim more than 450 wickets.

"In Dhaka I missed four tests and could have added to my wicket tally, but 450-plus would be a good finish," said Akram, who currently has 414 wickets from 104 Tests.

Akram said he doesn't feel pressured by the emergence of a new crop of fast bowlers.

"I enjoy my cricket despite all pressures and that's why I am playing. I would like the new boys to learn from me...as long as I am there," he said.

"They are good learners and are coming up."

Pacers Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Zahid, Mohammad Sami and all-rounders Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood pose a real threat to Akram keeping his place until the World Cup.

Akram also hopes to strike a deal with English county Glamorgan for the coming English season. 

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