‘You guys weren't even born when it happened’ - Wasim Akram’s furious reply to fan questioning his absence in 1996 World Cup QF

Pakistan legend Wasim Akram left everyone surprised when he decided to sit out for the quarterfinal game against India in the 1996 World Cup. The absence proved to be costly as Pakistan failed to win the game and a lot of rumours did go around Akram missing out on the game. 

In a recent news debate Akram was again put in the spotlight as he was asked to explain his absence from the quarterfinal game in one sentence. This certainly hit the former captain quite hard and he immediately expressed his anger at the fan for listening rumours and explained the exact reason behind missing out on the game.  

The reason we didn't tell the press was that India would have gained confidence: Wasim Akram

Akram in a bit of frustration advised the young generation to stop listening to rumours and revealed his utter disappointment after the question. He further explained that he picked up an injury while playing a sweep against New Zealand and highlighted it would have boosted the confidence of India had he told about the injury earlier.

“Main tum logon ko thanda kar hi du (I should finally cool you guys down). I have so many words for this young generation, never ever listen to rumours. Okay? You guys weren't even born when it happened. It's embarrassing when a Pakistani has a go at me,” Akram told during a television debate on Pakistan news channel A Sport.

“I got injured during the game against New Zealand. I got 34 runs. I went for a sweep shot, the fine leg was up, and I got my muscle pulled. That takes six weeks (to recover). The reason we didn't tell the press was because India would have gained confidence if they knew I wasn't playing."

Akram further claimed that Waqar Younis had seen him during the entire incident and explained that other players should have stepped up instead of him being questioned for the loss. 

“Waqar saw, everyone saw in the morning that I received two pain-killer injections but they didn't work. If I had played with injury, I would have been criticised even more. And even if I wasn't there, there were other players too. What was this logic that we lost because I didn't play? I was injured!,” he added.