Wasim Akram escapes unhurt after car fired at in Karachi
Wednesday 5 August 2015 14:39, UK
Pakistan’s all-time leading wicket-taker Wasim Akram escaped unhurt after a gunman fired at his car in Karachi on Wednesday morning.
Akram had been on his way to coach at a training camp at the city's National Stadium when the incident happened.
The 49-year-old, who took 414 wickets in 104 Tests, said the frightening experience followed a traffic collision.
He said: "A car hit mine. I stopped him and then this guy stepped out and fired at my car.
"He was definitely an official. I have noted the number of the car and given it to the police. If he can do this to me, what will he do to the common man?"
According to media reports the shot did not appear to be aimed at Akram.
His agent Arsalan Hyder told reporters: "Wasim was driving himself, and the car next to him tried to jam his car to one side and opened fire.
“He did not get hit. He is now at the National Stadium, dealing with police formalities."
Senior police officer Munir Shaikh ruled out an assassination attempt or robbery, saying: "This was just an incident of road rage.
"We have identified the car from CCTV footage and will have the suspect in custody in a couple of hours."
Karachi is one of Pakistan's most violent and unpredictable cities, racked on a daily basis by ethnic, political, sectarian and criminal bloodshed.
Akram, who was man of the match in the 1992 World Cup final against England, represented Pakistan between 1984 and 2003.
