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Akram quits, to clear his name

Former Pakistani captain Wasim Akram announced his retirement from international cricket today and hired a retired judge to help him fight match-fixing allegations.

Akram, who has captained Lancashire to two English titles this season, also slammed Pakistan Cricket Board chief executive Majid Khan for heading a witch hunt against him.

''(The match-fixing allegations are) a conspiracy, especially within the board,'' he said today.

Akram had planned to play for Pakistan in a Test series against Australia later this month and had quit as Lancashire captain, after 10 years with the county, to concentrate on Pakistan's 1999 World Cup campaign.

The 32-year-old all-rounder said it could take two or three years to clear his name, but he has not ruled out a return to international cricket.

''I've taken on a former judge from Karachi because I must clear my name for me, my friends, my family and most of all my son,'' he told Britain's domestic news agency today.

''Unfortunately I have to leave cricket. When allegations arise you need to fight it out. You can't just sit back.

''I would love to carry on but I simply can't. But I'm happy because I know that I have done nothing wrong.''

Akram said he heard the match-fixing allegations against him through the media.

''If there's evidence that I've been involved, (the PCB) should come out and fight it in court,'' he said.

AP