Wasim Akram's decision includes the forthcoming tour of Africa where Pakistan play three Tests against South Africa and two Tests against Zimbabwe besides a series of one-day games in the two countries. ``I have conveyed my decision to the cricket authorities and they have accepted it,'' the star allrounder told Dawn from his Lahore residence. ``It has been one of the most difficult decisions to take but I have decided to play as an ordinary member in the team in accordance with the mental pressures I was in,'' said Akram, who has 334 Test wickets and 341 one-day scalps.
``Whatever cricket is left in me, I want to enjoy it as a player not as captain,'' stated Akram, who recently spearheaded Pakistan to a 3-0 win over the West Indies, 2-0 win over England in 1996 besides guiding Pakistan to its first World Series Cup win in Australia in 17 years. Akram needs 29 runs to join the elite company of Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, Sir Richard Hadlee and Imran Khan to grab 300 wickets and 2,000 runs in Test cricket.
Akram led Pakistan in 17 Tests winning nine, losing four and drawing four. In 72 one-dayers under his captaincy, Pakistan won 43 games, lost 28 with one ending in tie. Personally, he took 78 Tests and 112 one-day wickets as captain.
Akram's decision is believed to come in the wake of media and public criticism after the Pakistan team lost the quadrangular tournament and the Champions Trophy last year under his captaincy. The critics attributed the loses to match-fixing, the allegations yet to be substantiated by the accusers.
Akram said he called on the PCB chief executive Majid Khan in his office on Saturday morning. Also present during the deliberations were chairman of selectors, Salim Altaf, and Talat Ali, chairman of the disciplinary committee, said Akram.
``All of them gave me a good hearing and admitted the pressure I was in. They were sympathetic and endorsed my decision. They admitted that I have come for a rough treatment,' he said.
Asked if he was persuaded to continue as captain, Akram replied in the negative.
Akram was first appointed captain in 1993-94 on the tour of the West Indies but was dethroned 12 months later by a group of nine cricketers who rebelled against him. Akram regained captaincy on the 1995-96 tour of Australia where Pakistan lost 2-1.
Elaborating the reasons for taking this extreme step, Akram said: ``Allegations of match-fixing have been the backbone of all reasons. These baseless accusations have taken a toll on me and I find myself in no man's land.
``I am not motivated any more to lead the team. And when I am not geared up myself, how can I lift my team on a demanding tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe,'' he said.
``Naturally the boys also come under pressure and they look for the captain to lift them. But in the present situation, I am in no position to support them because I am myself down.
``I don't find any strength in myself to sustain any more pressure and unjustified criticism which to an extent is personal,'' he claimed. ``I have badly lacked in backing up or support from the concerned authorities,'' he said.
Akram said he had enjoyed playing and captaining the side - the things he was missing now. ``I am not enjoyin captaincy any more so what's the point in doing the job which you can't enjoy. It's then better to step down and let another man take over the team.''
Akram said he has been receiving death threats and his family members were being harassed. ``After serving the country with distinction for so long you get this treatment, it is depressing and upsetting.''
Akram said Pakistan teams have lost in the past but betting or match-fixing allegations were levelled. ``To rub salt into the wounds, no investigations have been carried out to convict or acquit the guilty. ``Only once match-fixing probe was done (in 1995) in which the accused player was acquitted as the accusers failed to prove the charges,'' he said.
However, Akram promised that he would extend full support to whoever steps in his shoes. ``My priority has always been to play and perform for country. Captaincy has been secondary to me. ``I would fully contribute as a player and would also help the captain in taking any ticklish decisions. Since I am in the twilight of my career, I would like to contribute by grooming up a couple of good pacers.''
Haroon Rasheed, who served as coach in Akram's last three assignments as captain, said he was sad with the decision of the pacer. He, however, said Akram was a professional cricketer and if he has taken such decision, there must have been a good reason to it.