Akram confirms retirement, Anwar considers his future

Pakistan fast bowling great Wasim Akram confirmed on Tuesday that he wouldretire after the ICC World Cup in South Africa next year

Charlie Austin10-Sep-2002Pakistan fast bowling great Wasim Akram confirmed on Tuesday that he wouldretire after the ICC World Cup in South Africa next year.Speaking at a press conference in Colombo before Pakistan’s first game inthe ICC Champions Trophy against Sri Lanka on Thursday, the 36-year-oldclaimed the time had come to hang up his boots."The World cup will be my last tournament," he said. "There is a right timefor everything and I think that will be the right time to go."Looking back on a career that has spanned 17 years, including 104 Tests anda staggering 342 ODIs, touching both glory and controversy, Akram claims tobe leaving with no regrets." I have had ups and downs, my career has been a roller coaster ride," headmitted. "But it has all been worth it and I’ve had a ball."Providing he is selected, he hopes to bow out with a bang – a Pakistanvictory in what would be his fifth World Cup."It would be a dream come true if we could win the World Cup. I couldn’t askfor more than that, it would be a perfect ending," he said.Afterwards, he is unsure what life has in store."I’ve no idea what I am going to do afterwards," he said. "I am not the kindof guy that plans things. I will take six months off sleeping, watchingcricket and spending time with my family.""I’m not the coaching sort – you have to be very organised and always beplanning ahead – but I obviously I want to help cricket, promoting the gamearound the world."Akram has taken 414 Test wickets at 23.62 and 478 ODI wickets at 23.78 – theonly player in the world to pass 400 in both forms of the game.Meanwhile, left-handed opener Saeed Anwar, scorer of 8525 runs at 38.75 inODIs, hinted that he is also on the verge of bidding farewell.The religious 34-year-old is struggling for his place in the side and isanxious to leave on a high note."This ICC trophy could be the turning point of my life," he said, somewhatdramatically. "I will see how it goes and then decide on my future."He explained: "I have played cricket with dignity and respect, alwaysperforming at the highest level. I still have the zest for cricket but donot want to hang around if I am not performing."I wanted to play another two years but I think it is the right time to go,"he said.Unlike Akram, he expects to make a clear break with the game: "I won’t hangaround the game, not as a commentator, not as an umpire or coach."