KARACHI, May 19: Famed Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram was showered with praise by former colleagues on Monday following his decision to retire from a 19-year international cricket career.

Former captain and revered all-rounder Imran Khan, who mentored Wasim as an 18-year-old, hailed him as one of last century’s greatest fast bowlers.

“I reckon Wasim and West Indian Michael Holding are two of the best and most natural fast bowlers of the century,” Imran said.

Taking Wasim under his wing in 1984, Khan nurtured him until he became one of international cricket’s most productive fast bowlers.

“Grooming Wasim was the easiest thing because he was naturally gifted. All I ingrained in him was the ability to take wickets,” said Imran, who now sits in Pakistan’s parliament as head of his own political party after an illustrious cricket career in which he took 362 wickets.

Imran backed Wasam’s retirement decision as “the right thing.”

Wasim, who turns 37 next month, announced his retirement in London on Sunday saying he wanted to make way for younger players.

In 104 Tests Wasim took 414 wickets, and a world record 502 wickets in 356 one-day matches.

He is the only bowler to have taken over 400 wickets in both forms of the game.

Imran, who led Pakistan to their only World Cup victory in Australia in 1992, accused the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of dumping Wasim in an undignified manner.

“I do think the PCB... should not have dumped him in such an unceremonious manner,” said Imran.

Another former captain, Zaheer Abbas, described Wasim as the “pride of Pakistani cricket.”

“Losing a player like Wasim is the most depressing thing. It will be hard to replace him,” Zaheer said.

Chairman of national selection committee Aamir Sohail denied Wasim’s decision was prompted by his expulsion.

“We did not close the doors on any senior player. Wasim could have staged a comeback,” Aamir said.

“Wasim was a great servant of Pakistani cricket and I pay him the richest of tributes.”—AFP