'I developed a dependence on cocaine', Wasim Akram makes a shocking revelation

Former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram has revealed that he was addicted to cocaine after the end of his playing career but quit following the death of his first wifeThe 1992 World Cupwinner who took more than 900 international wickets before retiring in 2003 began using cocaine while working as a television expert around the worldIn an interview with the Times the 56year old revealed that he has mentioned about the addiction in his new autobiographyThe culture of fame in South Asia is all consuming seductive and corrupting You can go to 10 parties a night and some do And it took its toll on me Akram was quoted as saying by BBCThe former leftarm pacer also mentioned about the selfless act of his first wife Huma who died suddenly in 2009 from a rare fungal infectionHumas last selfless unconscious act was curing me of my drug problem That way of life was over and I have never looked back he saidAlso Read ISL ATK Mohun Bagan beat archrivals East Bengal FC 20After making his international debut in 1984 Wasim played 104 Tests and 356 oneday internationals for Pakistan winning the 1992 World Cup He led Pakistan in 25 Tests and 109 ODIs between 1993 and 2000 and is widely regarded as one of the best bowlers of all timeAccording to Akram he developed a dependence on cocaine while he was travelling away from Huma and their two sons who were living in ManchesterIt started innocuously enough when I was offered a line at a party in England my use grew steadily more serious to the point that I felt I needed it to function the former cricketer further revealedHuma I know was often lonely at this time she would talk of her desire to move to Karachi to be nearer her parents and siblings I was reluctant Why Partly because I liked going to Karachi on my own pretending it was work when it was actually about partying often for days at a time he addedThe legendary quick sought help after his late wife discovered his drug use but said he had a bad experience in a rehab facility in Lahore and fell back into the habit during the 2009 Champions Trophy where he worked as a punditAkram said the drugs were a substitute for the adrenaline rush of competition which I sorely missed but Humas death shortly after that tournament spurred him to quit He has since remarried and has a young daughter with his second wifeThe former Pakistani cricketer also addressed allegations of matchfixing during his career again denying any involvement in corruptionIn 2000 Pakistan players Saleem Malik and AtaurRehman were banned for matchfixing A report into the scandal by Justice Malik Qayyum found Wasim not guilty of matchfixing but did recommend that he be fined and not allowed to captain Pakistan because he refused to cooperate and cannot be said to be above suspicionThe report said there has been some evidence to cast doubt on his integrity but Wasim said he did not read it until he wrote his bookI knew I was innocent Everything was he said she said I heard from someone else Wasim sent a message through someone else I mean it doesnt even sound right he saidIts embarrassing because my kids have grown up and they ask questions he addedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever