LONDON, July 15: Wasim Akram is quitting Hampshire halfway through a one-year contract because of ill health, the English county said on Tuesday.

“Wasim, 37, who is a known diabetic, has suffered ill health in the past few months and is very sad to be leaving,” said a Hampshire statement.

The Pakistan all-rounder, who announced his retirement from international cricket in May, had intended this season with second division Hampshire to be his last in first-class cricket but has missed three of their eight championship matches.

Hampshire’s director of cricket, Tim Tremlett, said: “Wasim has proved to be a very valuable and popular member of the team and we are very sorry to be losing him at this stage in the season.”

The county are expected to try to find an overseas replacement for Wasim, one of the club’s two permitted overseas players along with Australian batsman Simon Katich.

His 502 One-day International wickets in 356 matches remain world records.

Wasim was only hired by Hampshire after Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne, due to captain the team this season, received a 12-month drugs ban from first-class cricket in February.

Wasim, who had a 10-year spell in English cricket with Lancashire from 1988 to 1998, took 20 wickets in five first-class matches for Hampshire at an average 25.15.

Pakistan cricket chiefs had been planning a special farewell match for Wasim, a One-day International at home to South Africa in October, although his appearance could now be in doubt.—AFP/Reuters