Cricket: Wasim for Smethwick

A LEAGUE cricket club which usually attracts around 100 spectators is celebrating landing the current Pakistan Test captain, Wasim Akram, as its overseas professional.

The Birmingham Premier League outfit Smethwick have lured the 33-year- old all-rounder for the new season, and he is due to assume his duties as soon as Pakistan's involvement in this summer's World Cup in England is over.

Smethwick, founded 150 years ago, have also signed the former Warwickshire player Asif Din as captain. He has recently been playing minor counties cricket with Shropshire.

Smethwick's former players include the England legend Sidney Barnes, the Australian Test batsman Steve Waugh, the former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Mohammed and the ex-England and Warwickshire opener Dennis Amiss.