Legendary Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram is amusedat the hell that has broken loose in his country over his assistance to left-armerIrfan Pathan and other Indian bowlers in recent times.
Akram said it was laughable even to think he would beteaching the Indians how to bat against reverse swing bowling.
"As a senior cricketer if somebody comes to me fortips, I am not to turn him away. I did the same with Australia's Nathan Brackenso why only help to (Irfan) Pathan is being turned into an issue?" Akramsaid today.
The latest controversy emerges from concerns of formercricketer and Pakistani coach Javed Miandad, who expressed concern that Akramcould be letting out "trade secrets" by helping the Indians ahead oftheir historic tour to Pakistan.
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Miandad in particular has shown concern that Akramcould be giving Indians tips on how to play out reverse swing in which Pakistanifast bowlers excel.
"Look what I am only worried about is that hedoesn't give them tips on how to play reverse swing, I hope he is not doingit," Miandad was quoted in a Pakistani daily.
An exasperated Akram said he was only helping a buddingcricketer and things about nationalities and other such matters were farthest onhis mind.
"I am only helping a budding cricketer, a youngfast bowler, who has shown promise and is keen to learn. It's not as if I am ona mission or I am being paid for my services."
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Akram asserted he was first and foremost a Pakistani and was honoured to haverepresented his country for long years.
"I take pride in having played for Pakistan andserved my nation to the best of my ability. But I am no longer active and haveto carry on living as I deem fit.
"There is no intention or motive in my actionsother than help out cricketers who approach me for bowling tips," he said.
On Miandad's fears he could be giving tips to theIndians, Akram said "This is stretching the matter too far. I am not on amission to help out the Indians.
"It is another matter though that I am not holdingany coaching assignment with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and should beallowed to work as I deem fit," the former captain said.
"I wasn't even offered a cup of tea by them (PCB)when I retired but then that's a different story," he added.
Akram, with 414 Tests and 502 one-day wickets, has thelargest haul of any living or past international bowler and bowed out afterPakistan's disastrous campaign in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
In recent times, enormous interest has centred aroundthe coming Indian tour to Pakistan which is scheduled to take place inMarch-April.
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Akram, after his retirement, has taken up theassignment of commentator with a television network and shied away from takingany coaching assignment with the Indian cricket board.
PTI
