Pakistan players need to be back playing IPL: Wasim Akram

KKR bowling coach Wasim Akram(R) with Jacques Kallis during practice

Former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram, who is now the bowling coach of the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, believes that that the time is right for Pakistan players, who have been kept out due to the political tensions between the two countries, to return to the Indian Premier League.

Nation.com quoted Akram as saying, “Whenever India and Pakistan players have played either against each other or together, they have attracted lot of crowds and you get plenty of support, especially in this part of the world. I hope in near future Pakistani players will be able to participate because we have great talent.”

“Imagine Saeed Ajmal playing. It would have been perfect in these conditions. Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Shahid Afridi playing would have been huge. This was their home ground, but let’s see it’s a decision of the cricket boards of both countries has to take. Mixing sports and politics was going to do no good.”

With a pace attack that consisted of Akram and Waqar Younis, two of the most fiercest pacers the game of cricket has ever seen, Pakistan had a great record at Sharjah, UAE, during their playing days. On how it feels to back to familiar territory, the greatest left-arm fast bowler of all time said: “It feels good to be back and seeing the facilities here I must say it is as good as any ground I have seen around the world. The love for the game has been here in UAE for ages with the presence of a huge expat population of Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, Australians and New Zealanders. I’m very sure IPL will start off with a bang here. The buzz is already around and my friends were calling and asking for tickets again.”

“The conditions are similar and probable better wickets with the ball coming nicely on the bat and it will be good for the T20 format. In T20 cricket, people come for entertainment and it is sixes, fours and wickets that makes it interesting. Things have changed. Believe me, I have played in Sharjah for 21 years and then it was absolutely flat and you could see your face in it. There was no grass at all.”

He also explained the way for the bowlers to go about on the UAE pitches, which offer great assistance to the spinners. “Bowling on these wickets is about different lengths. Sharjah wicket is not that flat but you can play shots and that is where length matters. I would say that is where I will come in handy. This is my fourth year with KKR and I’m looking for a good season from the boys.”

When asked about the value Jacques Kallis brings to the Knight Riders squad, he had this to say: “Kallis’ impact is phenomenal. It is like a part of me that he brings on the table. He is one of the best all-rounders that I have seen in world cricket. His calm demeanour [is great], you can go up to him and he helps all the boys. His presence means a lot and he has an ideal role to play in this KKR team. If he goes in as an opener, he can play 20 overs and the team can play around. He is very useful.”