Akram bats for boot camp

karachi — Former Pakistan great Wasim Akram Thursday said players heading for the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand should sweat it out at a boot camp to boost their chances of victory.

Pakistan are in Group B of the World Cup alongside arch-rivals India, South Africa, the West Indies, Ireland, UAE and Zimbabwe.

They open their campaign against India at Adelaide on February 15. To prepare for the challenges ahead, Wasim suggested a boot camp. “Since Pakistan have no cricket until October (against Australia in the UAE) they must hold a boot camp on hilly areas just like Australia do when they go into an Ashes series,” Wasim said.

The former skipper said that the country’s cricket administrators need to concentrate on improving fielding and fitness. “For me the only worry is the 2015 World Cup will be totally different as grounds in Australia and New Zealand require great expertise and good preparation,” Wasim said.

Declared player of the tourna-

We went to Australia three weeks before the event

Wasim Akram

ment for his 18 wickets in Pakistan’s World Cup triumph in 1992, Wasim said it would be best to go to Australia early. “I remember we went to Australia three weeks before the event and it helped us a lot,” said Wasim. “The grounds in Australia need adapting to because if you are not used to them you tend to injure yourself.” Wasim said Pakistan also need to improve their fielding.

“When I am away I always ask experts to help Pakistan and recently I talked to Jonty Rhodes who is ready to help Pakistani players in fielding for a short period,” said Wasim. —