London: Pakistani all-rounder Wasim Akram has replaced Australian spinner Shane Warne at English county cricket side Hamsphire. The 36-year-old has signed a one- year deal with the Second Division side. Warne, who was due to captain Hampshire this season, was banned for a year for testing positive for a banned diuretic just before the World Cup. Hampshire then tried to sign Wasim's Pakistan teammate Shoaib Akhtar, but the move for the world's fastest bowler fell through because of his Test commitments. Wasim, who spent a decade at Lancashire, is the only bowler ever to take 500 wickets in One-day Internationals. He has also topped 400 wickets in Test cricket, and has made almost 3,000 runs with a best score of 257 not out. "For me it is a fresh challenge and a new chapter in my career," Wasim said Wednesday. "The aim is for Hampshire to gain promotion in both competitions this year, and I hope to be able to play a part in that ambition." Copyright AFP 2001

Tags: cricket, wasim akram, shane warne, english county cricket, hamsphire, second division, shoaib akhtar.