'I was addicted to cocaine post retirement', reveals Wasim Akram

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has admitted he "was addicted to cocaine after his playing career ended but quit following the death of his first wife," reports BBC quoting The Times. 

In a new autobiography, Akram added he took to cocaine while working as a television expert. 

"The culture of fame in south Asia is all consuming, seductive and corrupting," he said.

"You can go to 10 parties a night, and some do. And it took its toll on me."

Akram's first wife Huma died in 2009 from a rare fungal infection.

"Huma's last selfless, unconscious act was curing me of my drug problem," said Wasim.

"That way of life was over, and I have never looked back."

Akram played 104 Tests and 356 one-day internationals for Pakistan, winning the 1992 World Cup.

He also skippered Pakistan in 25 Tests and 109 ODIs between 1993 and 2000. 

Wasim said he "developed a dependence on



cocaine" while he was travelling away from Huma and their two sons, who were living in Manchester.

He added: "It 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.

"Huma, I know, was often lonely in 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."

Akram did seek 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 pundit."

Akram added the drugs were a replacement "for the adrenaline rush of competition, which I sorely missed" but post Huma's death he quit. quit.

Akram is now married to Shaniera Akram.