Wasim Akram, father of a poor Rajasthan farmer, part of India Under-19 team
Wasim Akram, father of a poor Rajasthan farmer, part of India Under-19 team
A young lad from the backward Mewat region of Rajasthan may well become India's answer to the great
Pakistani pace legend if he lives up to his nameu00a0Wasim Akram.
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Wasim, 19, is the son of a poor farmer of Rajpur Kohban village in the Mewat district. The Muslim-dominated district is one of the most backward regions of Haryana. Akram is third in his five siblings.
"It is a great moment," Wasim told MiD DAY on Tuesday evening from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, before flying out to Hong Kong.
"I can not express my happiness. The hard work and wishes of my parents have finally paid off," he said.
Wasim's father, Abdul Aziz, sent him to Mewat Cricket Academy four years ago, set up by the Haryana Government for the promotion of sports in the backward district.
"All his friends used to tell me about his talent and advised me to send him to a sports academy. He was very good. Four years ago, I sent him to a nearby sports academy. Today, I think I made the right decision for him," said Aziz, who had come to Delhi to see off his son.
Wasim is studying BBA at Yasin Meo Degree College, Nuh, Mewat.
Nine countries will be vying for honours at the fatafat cricket event. Apart from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies, South Africa, England, Australia and New Zealand would be other teams participating in the tournament.
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