Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram feels that India are hot favorites to win the forthcoming World Cup in England. He also expressed that one can’t write off Pakistan as people loved to watch and follow.
In his column for the Times of India, Akram wrote, “Among the teams that are involved in the cricket World Cup, Pakistan has always been an outfit that people loved to watch and follow. You can never write them off. India looks firm favorites for me. New Zealand is the dark horses, but Pakistan is right up there.”
Arguably the best left-arm fast bowler to play the game, Akram gave credit to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the resurgence of Pakistan cricket.
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The veteran pacer said, “I’ll give credit to the Pakistan Super League and our board for the resurgence of Pakistan cricket. We have a young side – apart from a Mohammad Hafez and a Shoaib Malik, everyone is in their mid-20s. They are young, as well as experienced. The fielding also has improved. After the Pakistan Super League, Pakistan is playing five ODIs in England against England, which would be ideal practice before the World Cup.”
Akram marked out Faheem Ashraf for special praise and hoped that he improves both his bowling and batting to become a match-winner.
The veteran speedster said, “The one Pakistan cricketer I want to see perform is Faheem Ashraf because he’s been the all-rounder Pakistan are looking for. He just has to improve his bowling a bit and be consistent with the bat. He can be a match-winner. Shadab Khan (leg-spinner) was the Man of the Match against South Africa on Wednesday night. Babar Azam, who was the best batsman on the difficult South Africa tour, looks confident and is in good nick. However, to prevent over-confidence, he must forget about what he did in South Africa.”
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Akram expressed happiness on how the Pakistan Super League is shaping up.
Wasim explained, “It’s the fourth season of PSL now, and it has been the most-watched league in Pakistan TV history – 70% of Pakistanis watched it last year. Everyone supports one team or the other. Everything is very well-organized.”
