Pakistan: Team-mates honour Wasim with a gold plaque
Faisalabad, Nov 29: Former captain Wasim Akram was awarded a gold plaque by the Pakistan team for completing a century of Test appearances a stroke before start of the second cricket Test here on Wednesday
30-Nov-2000
Faisalabad, Nov 29: Former captain Wasim Akram was awarded a gold
plaque by the Pakistan team for completing a century of Test
appearances a stroke before start of the second cricket Test here on
Wednesday.
Akram, who made his debut at Auckland in 1984-85, received the 150-
gram and 22-carat gold plaque by coach and former captain Javed
Miandad who has made the highest number of appearance for the country
in Tests - 124. Salim Malik, another ex-captain who is currently
banned for life, has played 103 Tests.
"I am delighted, flattered and honoured by this gesture of the
Pakistan cricket team.I feel younger and motivated not only for this
and Karachi Test but also to play for another two years," said Akram
with moist eyes.
While the Pakistan cricket team honoured the only bowler in the game's
history to capture 400 or more wickets in both Tests and One-day
Internationals, the PCB officials who attended the brief ceremony
empty-handed, didn't hesitate in getting themselves photographed with
the guest of honour and the players.
All the 15 players were dressed in proper white kits. Dressed in green
track suit, Pakistan coach Javed Miandad said: "I know how difficult
it is to play 100 Tests. It proves your stamina, endurance and top
physical fitness. Wasim has made the country proud throughout his
career.
"Who can be more delighted than me because he made his debut in New
Zealand under my captaincy," Miandad added.
Wasim Akram had made it to the Pakistan team for the New Zealand tour
only on the recommendation of Miandad after he took seven wickets on
his first-class debut against the same opposition.
Pakistan captain Moin Khan said: "He has provided the spectators world
over some magnificent exhibition of fast bowling and excellent strokeplay. He deserved this. We have done no favours to him. In fact, it is
because of him we have earned so much appreciation wherever cricket is
played. He is a role model and an inspiration for the youngsters."
Danish Kaneria was also awarded Pakistan cap in the same ceremony by
the skipper. As Wasim celebrates becoming 24th player in the world to
play 100 Tests, Danish becomes 163rd to represent Pakistan at the
highest level and the sixth from the minority community after Yousuf
Youhana. Others belonging to the minority community who have
represented the country in Tests in the past are Wallis Mathias, Antao
D'Souza, Duncan Sharpe, and Anil Dalpat.