"When I grew up, I realized the importance of proper sleep" - Wasim Akram

Former legendary Pakistan speedster Wasim Akram believes proper sleep is really important for any athlete as much as fitness and other factors are for their optimum performance.

Wasim Akram opened up on how, during his childhood days, there was no discipline with respect to his sleeping time. He credited his late wife and also his second wife for being able to make him understand the importance of bringing more discipline to his lifestyle.

Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda alongside former Indian cricketer S Sreesanth, here's what Wasim Akram had to say about the importance of sleep:

"There's a saying that 'Monkey sees, monkey does' and so when we were kids back in Lahore we used to look at our cousins sleeping late and waking up late and used to follow that. But when I grew up, I realized the importance of proper sleep."

He further added:

"One of the benefits of having married a lady from a western country is the change in lifestyle. In Australia, we eat dinner at 6:30 in the evening. In India, Pakistan you got to take bath at 9pm. Peak hours in Australia are 6 to 8 in the morning. At our place, even street dogs are sleeping at this time because they know nothing is going to happen during that time (laughs)."

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Sreesanth agreed with Wasim Akram on the importance of proper sleep

Sreesanth also opened up on the discipline in the lifestyle that he witnessed when he had toured Down Under. He also shed light on the importance of having short but effective naps whenever athletes get time during travelling.

On this, Sreesanth stated:

"You need a good sleep and I agree with what sir said because even I experienced it when I had gone to Australia. Dinner was at 6:30pm. The most sound sleep to get back that bio-rhythm will be of 6-8 hours. I will say this as a request to the youngsters that even if you're able to take power naps while in the team bus on your way to the games, just putting your earphones and sleeping, do it because that's important."

With all the science available to get the best out of players, proper sleep remains the basic discipline that every athlete needs to give their body the deserved rest.