LAHORE, Oct 26 Huma Akram, the wife of former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram who died in a Chennai hospital on Sunday, was laid to rest at the Defence graveyard here on Monday with thousands in attendance at the funeral.

A large number of current and former Test cricketers and political personalities were present to observe last rites of Huma, 42, who died due to a heart and kidney failure.

She was admitted to the Chennai hospital last Tuesday after her condition worsened on board an air-ambulance which was carrying her from Lahore to Singapore for specialists' treatment.

In a brief chat with the media, Wasim appealed to the nation to pray to God Almighty to give him strength to bear the irreparable loss and bless him to take care of the two children — Taimur and Akbar.

“It is a great loss and only God can help me come out of these hard times. I appeal to the nation to pray for me,” said Wasim.

Huma, a professional psychologist and a hypnotherapist, also imparted lectures to the national team in the mid-1990s during her huband's tenure as skipper.

Prominent among those who attended the funeral on Monday were PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, coach Intikhab Alam, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar (who also led the funeral prayers), Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal, Imran Farhat, Humayun Farhat, Mohammad Ilyas and various officials of the PCB.

The Quran Khawani for the departed soul will be held at Wasim's residence on Tuesday after the Asr prayers.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani led the messages of conLAHORE Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram arrives to dolence sent to Wasim.

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Younis Khan, vice-captain Shahid Afridi, former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif and former Test paceman Jalaluddin expressed their heartfelt condolences.

“We are all shocked with the death of Huma and pray to Allah Almighty to help Wasim and his family to bear this irreparable loss,” they said.

“We are well with Wasim and his family in this difficult time,” Rashid said.

They said that they will be visiting Lahore shortly to express their personal condolences with Wasim Akram and his family.

Former Pakistan hockey captain Islahuddin also expressed his condolences over Huma's demise.