Unfazed Wasim Akram to continue bowling camp

Published August 6, 2015
Wasim Akram, center, gives tips to a young fast bowler during a training camp at National Stadium despite a gun attack he escaped on his way to the stadium in Karachi on August 05, 2015. — AP
Wasim Akram, center, gives tips to a young fast bowler during a training camp at National Stadium despite a gun attack he escaped on his way to the stadium in Karachi on August 05, 2015. — AP

KARACHI: After escaping unhurt in a traffic accident and subsequent firing at his vehicle, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram will continue with his hunt for premium fast bowlers in the country.

“Wasim Akram is in trauma but all right. He is staying in Karachi and will continue supervising the camp for fast bowlers at the National Stadium,” a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson said. “What happened with him yesterday was tragic, but he is determined to complete the training camp.”

PCB has teamed up with the legendary fast bowler, who grabbed a record 414 Test and 502 ODI wickets for Pakistan, to conduct a training camp for upcoming talented bowlers in the country. The camp, which began on August 1, will continue till August 13.

Read: Shot fired at Wasim Akram’s car

Yesterday, when Wasim was on his way to the National Stadium, a car crashed into his vehicle. When the fast bowler asked its driver to pull over, a heated discussion took place. The driver, whose name has not been revealed by police, opened fire. A bullet hit the tyre of the fast bowler’s car.

This version of events was confirmed by Karachi East Deputy Inspector General of Police Munir Ahmed Shaikh, and suggested that it was an incident of road rage.

In his statement before police, Wasim said, “When I took a turn on Habib Rehmatullah Road from Sharah-e-Faisal at about 3:45pm, a car carrying three people tried to block my way and hit my vehicle from behind and ran away. I tried to chase the vehicle to find out why they hit my car, but they did not stop.”

Read: Wasim to supervise bowlers’ camp

When Wasim signaled the driver to stop, he “hit his car again from one side and stopped.”

“I also stopped and then a man sitting on the back seat of the other car disembarked. He had a pistol which was pointed at me. A crowd gathered there and when someone said that it was ‘Wasim Akram’ the gunman fired a shot and fled,” said the 49-year-old fast bowler.

A First Information Report (FIR) against unknown suspects was registered with the Bahadurabad police under sections 324 (attempt to murder), 337-H(2) (rash or negligent driving), 427 (mischief, causing damage) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

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