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LAHORE, April 27: Former captain Wasim Akram Saturday said he would say goodbye to international cricket after next year's World Cup in South Africa.

"That's the plan and I don't think there can be a better occasion to hang up my boots," Wasim told Dawn at Gaddafi Stadium during the third and final One-day International against New Zealand.

Wasim, the Sultan of Reverse Swing, was rested from the last game along with Saqlain Mushtaq and Imran Nazir.

"I think I had one of the most fascinating careers. I had my good times and also bad times. But I think at the end of the day, it was worth representing the country and achieve what many can only dream of," Wasim, 36, said.

Wasim made his Test debut against New Zealand Christchurch in 1984-85 and had his first haul of 10 wickets in the match in following Test at Dunedin. There was no looking back after that and currently he stands at 414 Test wickets from 104 games and a record 459 wickets from 331 one-dayers. Wasim also spent a decade with English county side Lancashire.

"I might continue to represent my employers PIA in the domestic circuit and play a few club games in England. But, I want to stay close to the game in the form of grooming and helping budding cricketers, particularly the fast bowlers.

"I believe I am morally obliged to pay back something to this country that has given me the recognition, respect and above all, an identity," Wasim said.

Immediately after the World Cup, Pakistan is to host India for three Tests and five One-day Internationals from April 7. But Wasim said it was highly unlikely that he would face India again.

"I would love to say my last hurrah against India in the home series. But you don't always get what you dream of. At the moment, I have decided to quit after the World Cup and unless something strange happens, I am unlikely to appear against India," Wasim said.

India's tour to Pakistan is subject to New Delhi's approval. But the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was confident that the tour would materialize. Their belief is based on the three-man Indian Olympic Association (IOA) delegation that attended the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games meeting in Islamabad and confirmed their participation in the gala planned in March.

Wasim said World Cup was more important to him than the series against India.

"It's my dream to help Pakistan regain the World Cup and go home with pride. I know all the eyes are focused on World Cup and for me, it is the ultimate challenge," he said.

Wasim was member of the 1992 World Cup-winning squad. The deliveries that sent Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis are still considered as the most lethal ever bowled. He was captain of the Pakistan team that reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 1996 and then lost a one-sided final to Australia at Lord's in 1999.

Wasim was in Imran Khan's team that won the 1987 Test at Bangalore than gave Pakistan a historic 1-0 series win. Wasim returned to India as Pakistan captain in 1999 and won Tests at Chennai and Kolkata. However, the Kolkata Test was part of the inaugural Asian Test Championship match. The only defeat on that tour was at New Delhi where Anil Kumble equalled Jim Laker's record of a perfect ten.

© Dawn