Hyderabad is home away from home for KKR, says Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram

Hyderabad, Sep 23 (IANS) Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bowling mentor Wasim Akram feels Hyderabad is a home away from home for the team as it is getting good public support here.

"After Kolkata, this is the best support city for us. This is home away from home. People are coming to support us," said the Pakistani bowling legend ahead of their match against Perth Scorchers in the Champions League Twenty20 on Wednesday.

KKR are playing all their games at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here. Both the semi-finals are also scheduled to be played here.

"This is a historic city. We are excited. We are going to Falaknuma Palace tonight. Leave aside the team, I am very excited," said the former Pakistani captain on Tuesday.

Talking about the wicket for Wednesday's game, Akram said it is the best one he has seen in India so far.

"Credit to the groundsman the way he prepared this wicket. In Twenty20 we do need batting tracks because people come to watch some exciting cricket, some boundaries and as a bowler you need to have more skills," said Akram.

"This is definitely the best square I have seen in India. There is grass as well. It's more like Australian sort of pitch with nice even bounce and if you are well set you can play shots as well. It's good cricketing wicket."

The bowling coach was all praise for left-armer Kuldeep Yadav, saying he has a bright future.

"Kuldeep has showed to the world that he is a different bowler. He has got a bright future. He has chinaman, googly and the flipper. He is still a boy and will earn a name," said Akram, describing him as a star of the future.

On the 2015 World Cup, Akram believes hosts Australia and New Zealand, and also India will have good chances as the defending champions are going early to play Test matches and a triangular series.

"The team which goes first there and gets used to the conditions will have better chances," he added.