NEW Lancashire captain Wasim Akram has stepped down as skipper of Pakistan because of repeated death threats.

Akram was due to lead his country on their tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe at the end of this month before taking the reins at Old Trafford this summer.

The all-rounder had denied stories in Pakistani newspapers that a £50,000 ransom had been paid to secure the release of his kidnapped father Chaudhry Akram.

But the 31-year-old flew back to Pakistan from Lancashire and admitted his family had received threatening phone calls and letters since Pakistan's poor performance in the Champions' Trophy in Sharjah.

The threats actually started during his side's World Cup campaign following the defeat by India in Bangalore in 1996, when he was given police protection.

"I can't sustain the pressure any more," Wasim said.

"It's very sad that after serving the country with so much dedication and distinction, you get such treatment."

Wasim had just led Pakistan to a 3-0 Test series win over the West Indies.

But his troublesome shoulder injury had caused him to stand down as captain for the one-day tournament in Bangladesh later this month .

"It's not an easy job as the captain is always blamed for the poor performance of the team," he added.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.