Wasim vows to play on for two more years

Wasim Akram has announced his intention to continue playing international cricket for a further two years after embarking on a rigorous fitness regime.  

Wasim made his 101st appearance for Pakistan as the opening Test against England finally got under way at Lord's with 409 victims already to his credit.

He had announced this would be his fourth and last tour of England having played a major part in Pakistan's series victories in both 1992 and 1996.

But he has no intention of bowing out of the international arena altogether after the completion of this current tour.

Having got himself fit during the winter, Wasim plans to continue playing "as long as possible".

Wasim claims to have lost "around two stone" after the shock of being overlooked for the final Test of the three-Test series against England at Karachi shortly before Christmas, a match which was clinched dramatically in the fading light by Graham Thorpe to seal an unexpected 1-0 triumph.

"I intend playing international cricket for as long as possible," said Wasim, who is the only bowler in history to have taken more than 400 wickets at Test and one-day international level.

"I worked very hard on my fitness during the winter and feel very fit and happy about things with the intent of extending my international career as long as possible.

"The way I'm feeling now, I think I could carry on for at least a couple of more years."