New Delhi: Pakistan pace great Wasim Akram has revealed he developed a cocaine addiction after his retirement from the game but quit following the death of his first wife in 2009.
The 56-year-old has opened up about his dependency on cocaine in his upcoming autobiography ‘Sultan: A Memoir.’
Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in both Test and ODI cricket said he started to crave “a substitute for the adrenaline rush of competition” when he was travelling away from his first wife Huma.
“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.”
Widely regarded as one of the best bowlers of all times, Akram made his international debut in 1985, playing 104 Tests and 356 ODIs for Pakistan. He picked 414 Test wickets and 502 ODI wickets.
“Huma eventually found me out, discovering a packet of cocaine in my wallet… ‘You need help.’ I agreed. It was getting out of hand. I couldn’t control it. One line would become two, two would become four; four would become a gram, a gram would become two. I could not sleep. I could not eat.
“I grew inattentive to my diabetes, which caused me headaches and mood swings. Like a lot of addicts, part of me welcomed discovery: the secrecy had been exhausting.”
Akram went for rehab but his experience with the doctor was all but pleasant, resulting in a relapse.
“The doctor was a complete con man, who worked primarily on manipulating families rather than treating patients, on separating relatives from money rather than users from drugs,” he said.
“Try as I might, part of me was still smouldering inside about the indignity of what I’d been put through. My pride was hurt, and the lure of my lifestyle remained.
“I briefly contemplated divorce. I settled for heading to the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy where, out from under Huma’s daily scrutiny, I started using again.”
However, the legendary pacer, who continues to take up commentary and coaching assignments around the world, said he eventually stopped after Huma’s sudden death from a rare fungal infection in 2009.
“Huma’s last selfless, unconscious act was curing me of my drug problem. That way of life was over, and I have never looked back,” he added.
Stoinis smashes record fifty in Australia’s seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka
Perth:Marcus Stoinis destroyed the Sri Lankan attack en route to scoring the fastest fifty by an Australian as the hosts got their T20 World Cup campaign back on track with a seven-wicket victory here on Tuesday.
Charith Asalanka’s 38 not out off 25 balls helped Sri Lanka put up a fighting 157 for six after Australia put them in.
Sri Lanka fought hard before they were blown away by the brute force of Stoinis who remained on 59 off 18 balls as Australia romped home in 16.3 overs. The all-rounder raced to a record half-century in 17 balls. His memorable knock included half a dozen sixes and four boundaries.
Despite losing fast bowler Binura Fernando to injury in the first over, Sri Lanka kept themselves in the game for a major part of Australia’s chase.
The dangerous David Warner perished cheaply and skipper Aaron Finch was unable to break the shackles, increasing the pressure on the hosts. Finch struggled to 24 off his first 35 balls and ended up with 31 off 42 balls.
Mitchell Marsh scored a run-a-ball 17 before Glenn Maxwell came up with a couple of sixes and fours in his 12-ball 23 to release some pressure. During his short stay, Maxwell suffered a nasty blow on the right side of helmet grill while trying to pull a rising delivery from Lahiru Kumara.
The all-rounder fell attempting another big hit but substitute Ashen Bandara took a brilliant catch very close to the deep midwicket boundary to leave Sri Lanka at 89 for three in the 13th over.
While Finch struggled at the other end, Stoinis came in and produced a barrage of sixes and fours to effectively shut the door on Sri Lanka.
Stoinis, and the rest of the batters, targeted star Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who had a day to forget, leaking 53 runs in three overs.
Earlier, defending champions Australia produced a disciplined bowling effort for the majority of the innings before Asalanka propped up the total on a quick pitch.
The last four overs yielded 46 runs for Sri Lanka including a 20-run final over from Pat Cummins.
The left-handed Asalanka launched into Cummins in the 20th over, hitting a sublime straight six besides a pull for a boundary. Chamika Karunaratne gave Asalanka good support with an unbeaten 14 off seven balls.
Early on, the Sri Lankan innings could never get the momentum after Australia put them into bat.
After Kusal Mendis fell cheaply, Pathum Nissanka (40 off 45 balls) and Dhananjaya de Silva (26 off 23) shared a steady 69-run stand off 58 balls before regular fall of wickets derailed the Sri Lankan innings.
De Silva fell to a brilliant running catch in the deep from David Warner, who was a livewire on the field, leaving Sri Lanka at 75 for two in the 12th over.
Nissanka attempted a suicidal single to throw away his wicket and it was followed by a flurry of wickets to leave the Asia Cup winners struggling at 120 for six.
All the Australian frontline pacers — Josh Hazlewood, Cummins and Mitchell Starc — picked up a wicket each. Cummins’ final over effort spoilt his overall figures, though.
I am not retired chances of return are very high says Serena Williams
SAN FRANSCISCO: The 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams on Monday said she has not retired from tennis yet and that the chances of her returning to the court are “very high” after she previously indicated that she would step away from the sport after the recently concluded US Open.
“I am not retired,” Williams said at a conference in San Francisco while promoting her investment company.
“The chances (of a return) are very high. You can come to my house, I have a court,” she added. Williams announced her retirement from tennis on August 9, saying she is “evolving away” from the sport.
The 40-year-old tennis star said that the best word to describe what she is up to is “evolution” and that she wants to grow her family.
“I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me. I’ve been thinking of this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people,” Serena said in an article for Vogue magazine.
Serena has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any player in the open era, and the second-most of all time, only behind Margaret Court’s 24.
Travelling to Pakistan not BCCI’s call, government will decide: BCCI chief Roger Binny
Bengaluru: The BCCI can’t take a call on its own on whether the Indian team will travel to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup or not as it relies on the government to make such decisions, new Board president Roger Binny said on Thursday.
Speaking at an event organised by Karnataka State Cricket Association here, Binny said the BCCI has not approached the government yet on travelling to Pakistan next year but eventually the central government will only decide on the matter.
“That is not BCCI’s call. We need government’s clearance to leave the country. Whether we leave the country or teams coming into the country, we need clearance.
“Once we get clearance from the government then we go with it. We can’t make decision on our own. We have to rely on the government. We have not approached them yet,” said World Cup winner Binny.
The Asia Cup is scheduled to be played in Pakistan in September next year, ahead of the ODI World Cup in India.
Binny’s comments came after BCCI secretary Jay Shah said the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan next year for the Asia Cup and will instead like to play the tournament at a neutral venue.
Earlier on Thursday, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said the Indian team will need clearance from the Home Ministry to travel to Pakistan.
A ‘disappointed’ Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday requested the Asian Cricket Council to convene an emergency meeting.
Referring to Shah’s comment, the PCB had said that “such statements can spilt the Asian and international cricket communities” and impact Pakistan’s visit to India for the 2023 World Cup.
India haven’t travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, and after the Mumbai terror attack on November 26 that year, the scheduled bilateral series in early 2009 was cancelled.
Pakistan did travel to India for a short six-match white-ball series in 2012, but in the last 10 years, there hasn’t been any bilateral cricket. The two teams have only played each other at various ICC and ACC events.
India lose to South Africa by 49 runs in third and final T20I, win series 2-1
INDORE: Rilee Rossouw’s sizzling century was complemented beautifully by South African bowlers as the visitors beat India by 49 runs in the third T20 here on Tuesday
Invited to bat, Rossouw smashed 100 not out off 48 deliveries, while Quinton de Kock scored a blistering half-century (68 off 43 balls) to power South Africa to a mammoth 227 for 3.
In reply, the hosts crumbled under pressure as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 178 in 18.3 overs.
Despite the loss, India clinched the three-match series 2-1.
For India, Umesh Yadav (1/34) and Deepak Chahar (1/48) picked a wicket each while Dwaine Pretorius snared three for the visitors.
Brief Scores: South Africa: 227 for 3 in 20 Overs (Rilee Rossouw 100 not out, Quinton de Kock 68; Umesh Yadav 1/34, Deepak Chahar 1/48) India: 178 all out in 18.3 overs (Dinesh Karthik 46, Deepak Chahar 31; Dwaine Pretorius 3/26)
West Indies replaces Hetmyer after he misses flight
St. John’s (Antigua): Shimron Hetmyer was dropped by West Indies for the T20 World Cup on Monday after missing a scheduled flight to catch up with the squad in Australia.
The batter was replaced by Shamarh Brooks.Hetmyer was to leave Guyana on Saturday but was allowed by West Indies to delay flying until Monday for family reasons. That meant he wouldn’t be available for a Twenty20 against Australia on Wednesday on the Gold Coast.
Then he informed West Indies on Monday that he wouldn’t be able to catch the rescheduled flight. The selectors unanimously agreed to replace him with Brooks.
“Whilst we changed Shimron’s flight from Saturday to Monday due to family reasons, it was made clear to him that if there were any further delays and issues with his travel to Australia then we would have no choice but to replace him in the squad, as we are not prepared to compromise the team’s ability to prepare for this extremely important global event,” West Indies director of cricket Jimmy Adams said in a statement.
Adams added Brooks will join the squad as soon as possible. Brooks made his T20 debut last December and from 11 matches he averages 23.
Hetmyer was at the T20 World Cup last year. He’s played 50 T20s and averages almost 21.
The West Indies has two T20s against Australia this week, and begins the preliminary round of the T20 World Cup on Oct. 17 against Scotland in Hobart.
Bumrah out of T20 World Cup with back injury: BCCI secretary Jay Shah
Jasprit Bumrah
New Delhi: India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the ICC T20 World Cup due to a back injury, the BCCI announced on Monday.
That Bumrah is ruled out of the big-ticket event due to a stress fracture was first reported by the PTI on September 29.
Bumrah’s absence will certainly affect India’s chances in the marquee event in Australia as death bowling still remains a grey area.
The BCCI was awaiting medical reports while the pacer did his rehab at the National Cricket Academy but it was a foregone conclusion that he would be out for months.
“The BCCI Medical team has ruled out Team India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad. The decision was taken following a detailed assessment and in consultation with the specialists,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.
Bumrah was initially ruled out of the ongoing three-match T20I series against South Africa due to a back injury.
While the BCCI will be naming a replacement for Bumrah in the squad for the marquee tournament soon, one among Mohammed Shami and Deepak Chahar will make it to the main squad. Jammu and Kashmir pacer Umran Malik is expected to be named in the stand by list.
Bumrah has had a history of back problem due to his slinging unorthodox front-on action which puts a lot of load on his back.
He was ruled out for three months in 2019 also with a minor stress fracture but this time, it could well be a case of at least four to six months of no show.
This year, Bumrah has played only 5 games each in three formats apart from 14 games for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
The question that is now being asked is whether Bumrah was rushed too quickly and could have been kept under wraps till the start of the T20 World Cup.
“That would have been a double edged sword. Here you are talking about World T20. How can Bumrah, coming back from back injury, be directly fielded in a high stakes game like Pakistan? What if he broke down there?,” a BCCI source, who was aware about the development, told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“Rahul bhai had to take a chance and play him in these two series and allow him to get overs under his belt. We shouldn’t blame the team management.”
With both Ravindra Jadeja and Bumrah out of the T20 World Cup, it will be a big ask for Dravid to set up an ideal combination.
Shami hasn’t played international T20 since last T20 World Cup and since he is coming back after recovering from COVID-19, it might take some time to bowl full tilt.
Chahar, on the other hand, is bowling really well but the problem with India will be their death bowling while defending totals.
Winning by only 16 runs in a game where they scored 237 wasn’t really impressive and it seems that young Arshdeep Singh, a death overs specialist for Punjab Kings is now being slowly read well by the opposition batters.
2nd T20I: Rohit Sharma guides India to series-levelling 6-wicket win
NAGPUR: Skipper Rohit Sharma blazed away to an unbeaten 46 as India registered a series-levelling six-wicket win over Australia in the second T20I here on Friday.ADVERTISEMENTAds by
Chasing 91, Rohit scored 46 off 20 balls which included four boundaries and as many sixes to take India over the line with four balls to spare in the rain-affected game.
Earlier, wicketkeeper Matthew Wade scored an unbeaten 43 to power Australia to a challenging 90 for 5.
The match began two-and-a-half hours after its designated time due to a wet outfield and was reduced to an eight-over-a-side contest.
Axar Patel (2/13) bowled a fiery spell, snaring two wickets.
Skipper Aaron Finch, who scored a 15-ball 31, and Wade (43 off 20) were the top contributors for Australia.
Brief Score: Australia: 90 for 5 in 8 overs (Matthew Wade 43 not out, Aaron Finch 31; Axar Patel 2/13) India: 92 for 4 in 7.2 overs (Rohit Sharma 46 not out; Adam Zampa 3/16)
Roger Federer announces retirement, Laver Cup to witness last bow of the master
Forty-one-year-old Roger Federer, among the greatest tennis players ever, has announced his retirement from the highest-level of the sport, saying next week’s Laver Cup will be his final ATP tournament,
In a career that has spanned 24 years, the Swiss great became the first tennis player to win 20 grand slams. He has also won 103 ATP tour titles, the second highest after American great Jimmy Connors, and spent 310 weeks as No 1, including a spell of a record 237 consecutive weeks.
“As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been dear. I am 41 years old,” Federer said in a message shared on social media.
“I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career
“The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in grand slams or on the tour,” he said.
His decision comes just a little over two months after he expressed the hope to be back at Wimbledon.
Federer said this while received a standing ovation from fans during the celebration of the centenary of Centre Court.
“I hope I can come back … one more time,” he had said then. But he had admitted that he did not expect his rehabilitation from knee surgery to take this long. “The knee has been rough on me,” he agreed.
Australia’s Rachel Haynes retires from international cricket
MELBOURNE: Australian women’s cricket team star batter and vice-captain, Rachel Haynes on Thursday announced her retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtains down on an illustrious career.
The 35-year-old southpaw, who made her international debut back in 2009, represented her country in six Tests, 77 ODIs, and 84 T20Is.
“To all the teammates across my career, you are the reason I’ve played as long as I have. You’ve inspired me to be better every day. I’ve learnt something from all of you, on and off the field,” Haynes said in a statement.
“You’ve challenged me as a player, helped me grow as a person and most importantly, made cricket fun,” she added.
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