Pakistan’s great fast bowler and former captain Wasim Akram has revealed a secret related to his career, which has shocked the cricket world. Akram has claimed that after the defeat by India in the 1996 World Cup, some senior players of his own team had prepared to make him a “scapegoat”. There were even talks like putting his life in danger.

Old pain related to 1996 World Cup

This case is related to the quarter-finals of the 1996 World Cup, which was played between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Pakistan had suffered a crushing defeat from India in this high-voltage match held in Bengaluru. The special thing was that Wasim Akram did not play in this match, due to which he had to face criticism for years.

“I heard with my own ears”

During a conversation on a TV show, Akram told that some senior players of the team were already under pressure due to the fear of defeat from India. According to Akram, the night before the match he heard some players saying that the entire blame for the defeat would be put on Akram. Akram said that he was even heard saying, “Throw him under the bus and then we will put all the responsibility on him.”

Akram also told that after the match no player was talking to him and everyone had left him alone.

Allegations made regarding injury

Questions are still raised on Akram for not playing in that 1996 match. Many people believe that he deliberately walked out of the match by declaring himself unfit. However, Akram has completely rejected these allegations. He clearly said that he never intentionally stays out of the match being played against India in India.

Akram revealed that on the morning of the match he had to take four injections to reduce the pain, but the muscle injury was so severe that it was impossible to bowl. Doctors had told him that it may take 6 to 8 weeks to recover completely.

Even today that match doesn’t leave you.

Akram says that he played against India in the 1992, 1999 and 2003 World Cups and performed well. However, even today people remember only that match of 1996. His pain is that due to the rumors spread by some colleagues, he has to prove his loyalty till today.