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| Wednesday, 16 July 2003 |
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End of the road for Wasim Akram LONDON, Tuesday (AFP) Wasim Akram is quitting Hampshire halfway through a one-year contract because of ill health, the English county said Tuesday. "Wasim, 37, who is a known diabetic, has suffered ill health in the past few months and is very sad to be leaving," said a Hampshire statement. The Pakistan all-rounder, who announced his retirement from international cricket in May, had intended this season with second division Hampshire to be his last in first-class cricket but has missed three of their eight championship matches. Hampshire's director of cricket, Tim Tremlett, said: "Wasim has proved to be a very valuable and popular member of the team and we are very sorry to be losing him at this stage in the season." The county are expected to try to find an overseas replacement for Wasim, one of the club's two permitted overseas players along with Australian batsman Simon Katich. At the World Cup, left-arm quick Wasim became the first bowler in history to take 500 one-day international wickets. His 502 one-day international wickets in 356 matches remain world records. Wasim was only hired by Hampshire after Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne, due to captain the team this season, received a 12 month drugs ban from first-class cricket in February. Wasim took 20 wickets in five first-class matches for Hampshire. Pakistan cricket chiefs had been planning a special farewell match for Wasim, a one-day international at home to South Africa in October, although his appearance could now be in doubt. Wasim's departure from the Rose Bowl came as Hampshire quick Ed Giddins announced his retirement from first-class cricket because of persistent injury problems. Giddins, 32 on Sunday, made four England Test appearances between 1999-2000 and also played for Sussex, Warwickshire and Surrey. But he lost over a year of his career when in August 1996 he received an 18-month ban for drug abuse. |
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