LONDON, Aug 24: Former Pakistan pace spearhead Wasim Akram has blasted cricket's “double standards” and constant slurs on his nation's integrity. “When Pakistan make old ball swing it's called ball-tampering, but when everyone else does it, it's called reverse swing,” The Daily Mirror quoted Wasim as saying.

His comments assume significance after the controversial Oval Test in which Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq was charged with ball tampering and bringing the game into disrepute.

Wasim, who has now taken to cricket commentary, said: “Double standards are still alive and well in Test cricket. Like many neutrals, I was pleased when England won the Ashes, a result achieved partly because Freddie (Andrew) Flintoff and Simon Jones enjoyed reverse swing, yet nobody asked how they did it.

“I wouldn't dream of accusing England of cheating, especially someone like Freddie, a former Lancashire teammate and a good friend who I respect so much. But I thought demon of ball-tampering had gone away until Pakistan were accused of it again at The Oval — even though I've seen no proof to back it up.”

Wasim said everyone in Pakistan was going berserk after the unforgettable incident.

“The whole country feels insulted and picked on. It was worse in 1992, when Waqar Younis and I were accused, because there was bit of carry-over from World Cup final (which Pakistan won) and England boys were after us.

“They were moaners and termed it as cheating instead of learning how to achieve reverse swing. We were effectively put on trial in media and ICC was too weak to clear us.

“Since then I thought there was a greater understanding of reverse swing and how to achieve it — until other day at The Oval.

“Where reverse swing is concerned, I don't believe we are cheats and rest of the world is practising an art form.”—Agencies