Pakistan’s former cricket captain Wasim Akram says he escaped a gun attack in the southern port city of Karachi. When he was on his way to the city’s National Stadium where he is holding a bowling camp when a man rammed his vehicle into his car and then opened fire before fleeing. He told a Pakistani news channel that he did not know who was behind the attack.
Senior police officer Munir Sheikh said the incident took place when the left-arm fast bowler was on his way to coach a training camp at the city’s National Stadium. He also ruled out an assassination attempt or a robbery. “This was just an incident of road rage,” he said. “We have identified the car from CCTV footage and will have the suspect in custody in a couple of hours.”
About Wasim Akram Carrer:
Akram, 49, made his international debut in a one-day international against New Zealand in 1984 and was rated as one of the all-time great left-arm fast bowlers. He took 414 wickets in 104 test matches and another 502 wickets in 356 one-day internationals before retiring soon after the 2003 World Cup.He also led Pakistan in 25 test matches, winning 12, losing eight and drawing five. He captained Pakistan in 109 one-day internationals with a record of 66 victories, 41 losses and two tied matches.
Pakistan’s former captain Wasim Akram escapes gun attack in Karachi
Akram was among the cricketers fined during an infamous match-fixing inquiry in 1999, when the Pakistan Cricket Board handed lifetime bans to Salim Malik and Ataur Rehman. After retiring, Akram became a sports commentator and started coaching Pakistani bowlers.
Gun violence is not uncommon in Karachi, with much of it linked to militant groups.