Akram hails Nazar's appointment

Celebrated Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram hailed Mudassar Nazar's appointment as the national cricket team's coach, saying he is the best available choice.

"Nazar is the best man available for the job because he knows each and every player," Akram told SADA news agency.

Nazar, a former Pakistan all-rounder, took over as coach after the team's foreign coach Richard Pybus refused to join a training camp due to security fears.

"Nazar has played with some of us and his on-and off- field relationship with players is excellent," Akram said.

He said Nazar's knowledge of the game is deep.

"Our former captain, Imran Khan, had always praised Nazar as the 'mastermind behind Pakistan's success' when Nazar played under Khan," he said.

"Khan was one of the best captains in the world and when he acknowledged someone's talent he must be of super nature," he added.

Akram said he is fit now after a bout of fever and would play the next round of games for the Patron's Trophy.

"I am fit now and would play Patron's Trophy next week and then hope that the tri-series event in Sharjah is held as planned," he said.

The Pakistan team's next international assignment is the tri-series in Sharjah, in United Arab Emirates (UAE), starting from October 26. Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are the other competing teams.

Akram said he would file a defamation case against former Pakistan player Sarfraz Nawaz next week.

"I have sought an apology from Nawaz and if he doesn't comply with it, my lawyer will file a defamation case against him," he said.

Nawaz accused Akram of amassing assets worth Rs. 3 billion, allegedly through match-fixing.

Indo-Asian News Service