Pakistan‘s pace sensation, Wasim Akram, has admitted to developing a cocaine addiction after retiring from cricket. However, he decided to quit after the death of his first wife in 2009. While working as a television expert around the world, the 1992 World Cup winner, who took over 900 international wickets before retiring in 2003, began using cocaine.
In an interview with the Times, the 56-year-old revealed that he discussed his addiction in his new autobiography “SULTAN: A MEMOIR”. He said that the fan culture in South Asia consumed him, which resulted in his addiction.
“The culture of fame in south Asia is all-consuming, seductive and corrupting. You can go to 10 parties a night, and some do. And it took its toll on me,” Akram told the Times.
“It made me volatile. It made me deceptive. Huma, I know, was often lonely in this time… she would talk of her desire to move to Karachi, to be nearer her parents and siblings. I was reluctant. Why? Partly because I liked going to Karachi on my own, pretending it was work when it was actually about partying, often for days at a time,” he added.
Speaking about the confession in his autobiography, Wasim Akram said: “The culture of fame in South Asia is all-consuming, seductive, and corrupting. I developed a dependence on cocaine. It started innocuously enough when I was offered a line at a party in England.”
“My use grew steadily more serious, to the point that I felt I needed it to function. It made me volatile. It made me deceptive,” he continued.
I am not captaining the side unless I get my players: Wasim Akram
Akram, also known as the “Sultan of Swing,” played a key role in Pakistan’s 50-over World Cup victory in Australia in 1992. He recently criticized Pakistan’s middle-order batters for their poor showing in the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022.
“Ab main agar captain hota, mera end goal kya hai as a skipper how to win the World Cup! Agar mujhe uske lie Waqt pe gadhe ko bhi baap banana pade toh main bana lunga. Agar mujhe Shoaib Malik chaihe middle mein I will make sure to the Chairman and selectors. Otherwise, I am not captaining the side unless I get my players in the middle order,” Akram said.
