Former Bangladesh cricketer recalls ‘scary’ interaction with Wasim Akram

Former Bangladesh captain Akram Khan, during the Facebook Live session hosted by Bangladesh’s prolific batsman Tamim Iqbal that also featured Pakistan’s legendary fast-bowler Wasim Akram, narrated a comical story from 1995 Asia Cup where Bangladesh played alongside India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The former Pakistan bowling great was at the peak of his career and, in a match against India, had hit Sachin Tendulkar with a bouncer a day before the match against Bangladesh the next day. The Bangladesh players knew what they would be facing the next day.

"Wasim bhai do you remember what happened in the Asia Cup in Sharjah?" said Akram Khan. "A day before, against India, you bowled a bouncer to Sachin Tendulkar and then you also won the match. Then the day after you arrived and I was captain of Bangladesh. It was very hot that day and you asked me, 'Akram, if you win the toss, what'll you do?' I said that we'll field first.”

"You asked, 'Are you sure?' and I said yes. So, you said that 'okay, today is very hot so I'll not go for warm-up’. Then, when I am going for the toss, Nannu 'bhai' [Minhajul Abedin] said to me that 'why are you going for fielding? They'll score 300 runs. Better if you win and take batting'. So, I took batting after winning the toss," he added.

ALSO READ: Central contract ‘demotion’ doesn’t bother me: Sarfaraz Ahmed

"You came to my dressing room and said 'Akram, you come [on the field] and I'll see you [there]',” he said. "Oh man, I was scared like anything that day.”

Bangladesh managed to play out 50 overs, scoring 151/8. Pakistan won that match by six wickets in 29.4 overs.

Meanwhile, former captain Wasim Akram stated that he would have loved the battle between him and two of Bangladesh's current batting stalwarts Tamim Iqbal and Shakibal Hasan if he were still playing the game.

"It would have been a very good battle. Especially against you and Shakib. Being a left-hander, it would have been a very good battle," said the Pakistan bowling great.

On the other hand, Tamim said that he was lucky that he did not have to face Wasim.

"We are very lucky, Wasim bhai. I don't want to face you anyway. We are very lucky that you are not playing," said Tamim as everyone shared a big laugh.