'Imran Khan wasn't talented ... used to shout at us': Wasim Akram spills the beans
NEW DELHI: Pakistan pace legend
Wasim Akram
has opened up on what it was like to play under
Imran Khan
, calling the 1992 World Cup-winning skipper the greatest captain he ever played with. Akram, who began his international career in the mid-1980s, credited Imran for shaping him not only as a cricketer but also as a professional.
Reflecting on his early days with Pakistan, Akram said much of his development came under Imran's guidance.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
"I think whatever I did as a cricketer, off the field, on the field, credit goes to him. He used to give us a lot of confidence. He led from the front. He had a belief in his own ability. He was a hardworking cricketer," Akram said on Stick to Cricket.
While many considered Imran a naturally gifted player, Akram stressed that his success was built on relentless effort.
"People used to say I'm very naturally talented. Skipper wasn't talented. He worked hard. Remember he changed his bowling action. From 76, exactly. Changing even a little bit of action can take months, it might not happen. But he did change his action. He was so determined," Akram said.
Akram emphasised that Imran's determination and willingness to reinvent himself set an example for the entire team. His hard work, according to Akram, created a culture where no one could afford to be complacent.
"I mean he was the best captain I played under. He used to give confidence to every one of us," Akram noted.
Poll
Who do you believe is the greatest cricket captain in history?
Imran Khan
Kapil Dev
Steve Waugh
Clive Lloyd
At the same time, Imran was known to be tough on his players when required. Akram explained that the former skipper demanded full commitment on the field.
"At times he used to shout at us because if you were lazy, fair enough. He was tough, but he was tough on the field. You give your 100%. If you don't do well, he was okay with it," he said.
However, Imran could not tolerate players who tried to shield themselves in pressure situations.
"If you're trying to save yourself and say okay, it's a pressure situation, I'll just take a back seat — he used to judge. He knew this particular player is just saving himself. So that used to annoy him a lot," Akram revealed.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Security in India is much better than in Pakistan': Hockey official on PAK, Oman pulling out of Asia Cup hockey
Pakistan hockey team (Image credit: X) Pakistan and Oman have withdrawn from the upcoming Hockey Asia Cup 2025, citing security concerns. The tournament, scheduled from August 29 to September 7 in Rajgir, Bihar, has sparked reactions from Indian hockey officials who have dismissed these security worries. The winner of this prestigious continental championship will secure a spot in the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh questioned Pakistan's decision to pull out. "Why isn't Pakistan coming? Why are they not participating? This is not clear to us," Singh said. He firmly stated that "security and all the arrangements in India are much better than in Pakistan." Former India hockey captain and Congress MLA Pargat Singh also rejected the security concerns. "There is no such issue in India, I don't think there is any such problem in our country," he said. He pointed out that Pakistan's behaviour was disappointing from a sporting perspective. Pargat Singh also commented on Pakistan's declining hockey standards. He noted that internal disturbances had affected Pakistan's once-strong hockey program, saying "Pakistan Hockey was good once but if there are internal disturbances, everything gets affected." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo Despite the withdrawals, organisers remain focused on hosting a successful event. As Bhola Nath Singh emphasised, "For us, we have to organise this as a grand success, and whoever is coming, we welcome them wholeheartedly." The tournament will feature eight teams divided into two pools. Pool A includes host India, Japan, China, and Kazakhstan, while Pool B comprises Malaysia, Korea, Bangladesh, and Chinese Taipei. The opening day will see defending champions Korea face Chinese Taipei, while India will take on China. India's campaign begins against China, followed by matches against Japan on August 31 and Kazakhstan on September 1. The tournament format includes a Super4s stage, culminating in a final on September 7 between the top two teams. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Game must go on': Wasim Akram's blunt take on India vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 25: Ex Lancashire and Pakistan player Wasim Akram rings the bell ahead of Day Three of the 4th Rothesay Test Match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford on July 25, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by) Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has opined that whether India play Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 or not, "the game must go on." The Asia Cup will be hosted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September 9 to 28, featuring eight teams divided into two groups. Group A comprises India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. Asia Cup 2025: India Squad Announced | Surya Named Captain, Gill Vice-Captain Although India is the official tournament host, matches will be played at neutral venues for three years when competitions are held in India or Pakistan, as per an agreement between the BCCI and PCB. Dubai will host 11 matches, while Abu Dhabi will stage eight fixtures. The tournament opens with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong on September 9 in Abu Dhabi. India begins their campaign against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai, followed by a highly anticipated match against Pakistan on September 14, also in Dubai. Their final group-stage match against Oman is scheduled for September 19 in Abu Dhabi. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The Super 4 stage will feature the top two teams from each group. If India tops Group A, all their Super 4 matches will be played in Dubai. However, if they finish second, one match will be in Abu Dhabi and two in Dubai. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If A Cat Bites Their Owner Heres What It Really Means Gloriousa Undo The Super 4 stage runs from September 20 to 26, with the final scheduled for September 28 in Dubai. Poll Do you think the Asia Cup 2025 should proceed regardless of India-Pakistan matchups? Yes, the game must go on. No, it's not the same without the rivalry. "Asia Cup schedule is out, there is backlash. But we in Pakistan are calm. We will be fine whether we play or don't play. The game must go on," Akram said on the Stick With Cricket Podcast. Akram is also hopeful that there will be a Test series between India and Pakistan in the near future. "I hope to see a Test series between India and Pakistan in my lifetime," he said. "Politics apart, I am not a politician. They are patriotic about their country, we are patriotic about ours. Let's not go below the belt. Talk about the triumphs of your country; the same goes for Pakistan and the same goes for India. "It is easier said than done." Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Shafali Verma dropped, Renuka Thakur in India's ODI World Cup squad
Shafali Verma (Getty Images) MUMBAI: India excluded big-hitting Shafali Verma in favour of the consistent Pratika Rawal, while including fit-again pacer Renuka Singh Thakur in their squad for the Women's ODI World Cup at home. On Tuesday, at the BCCI headquarters here, chief selector of the Indian women's team Neetu David, flanked by captain Har manpreet Kaur, announced the squad for the three ODIs against Australia, which precedes the World Cup, with just one change in both sides. The Australia series begins on Sept 14, while the World Cup begins on Sept 30 with the opening match between India and Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. TOI has learnt that the Indian women's team will undergo a weeklong camp in a few days at Visakhapatnam, one of the venues of the World Cup, where Harmanpreet & Co. play two matches, against South Africa on Oct 9 and Aus on Oct 12. Vice-Captain Smriti Mandhana was also present at the selection meeting. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Shafali, currently part of the India A team in Australia, has been excluded from both sides, as the selectors preferred Rawal, who has done exceptionally well in 14 ODIs, in which she scored 703 runs at an average of 54.07, with one hundred and five fifties. David, though, asserted that Verma remained in the mix. 'Shafali played the Australia A series. She's in the system. We've got our eyes on her. Hope she plays a lot more and gains experience, it'll help serve India in the 50-over format in the future. We want Shafali to have a long career,' David asserted. Seam bowling allrounder Amanjot Kaur has been given additional time to recover from her niggles as she is currently stationed at the Centre of Excellence ahead of the World Cup, with Sayali Satghare named in the squad to face Australia. 'She's one of the important players. We've rested her for the Australia series so that she can fully be available for the World Cup,' Harmanpreet said. India Women's ODI World Cup 2025 Squad | Shafali Verma misses out | Full Press-conference Squads: For World Cup: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Goud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Sneh Rana. For ODIs against Australia: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Goud, Sayali Satghare, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Sneh Rana Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
