25 January 2004	Sunday	02 Zilhaj 1424

SYDNEY, Jan 24: Pakistan's legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram is amused at all the hell that has broken out in his country over his assistance to left-armer Irfan Pathan and other Indian bowlers in recent times.

Wasim said it was laughable even to think he would be teaching Indians how to bat out against reverse swing bowling. "As a senior cricketer if somebody comes to me for tips, I am not to turn him away. I did the same with Australia's Nathan Bracken so why only help to (Irfan) Pathan is being turned into an issue?" Wasim said on Saturday, according to Press Trust of India.

This follows concerns that Wasim could be letting out "trade secrets" by helping Indians ahead of their historic tour to Pakistan.

Wasim said he was only helping a budding cricketer and things about nationalities and other such matters were farthest from his mind.

"I am only helping a budding cricketer, a young fast bowler, who has shown promise and is keen to learn. It's not as if I am on a mission or I am being paid for my services," he fumed.

He asserted he was first and foremost a Pakistani and was honoured to have represented his country for long years. "I take pride in having played for Pakistan and served my nation to the best of my ability. But I am no longer active and have to carry on living as I deem fit.

"There is no intention or motive in my actions other than help out cricketers who approach me for bowling tips," he said.

On Pakistan's coach Javed Miandad's fears that he could be giving tips to the Indians on how to play reverse swing, Wasim said, "This is stretching the matter too far. I am not on a mission to help out Indians.

"It is another matter though that I am not holding any coaching assignment with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and should be allowed to work as I deem fit," former captain contended.

"I wasn't even offered a cup of tea by them when I retired but then that's a different story," he maintained.

Wasim, with 414 Tests and 502 one-day wickets, has the largest haul of any living or past international bowler and bowed out after Pakistan's disastrous campaign in 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

In recent times, enormous interest has centred around coming Indian tour to Pakistan which is scheduled to take place in March-April. Wasim, after his retirement, has taken up assignment with a television network.

On India's present tour to Australia though, where he is present as a television commentator, Wasim has been sporting enough to help out India's young fast bowlers whenever they've approached him for bowling tips.-PPI