Akram hopes Pakistan cricketers can play IPL
Ex-pacer feels cricket and fans would be the ultimate winners
Whenever Indian and Pakistan players have played either against each other or together, they have attracted massive crowds
Wasim Akram
abu dhabi — The great Indian show is in town and everyone in the UAE is waiting for the action to unfold. But a major chunk of the expat population and some really top quality cricketers from across the Indian border will be forced to watch from the sidelines for yet another season.
The UAE has officially been Pakistan ‘home’ away from home since 2009 and have played all of their home series here. The IPL will be stepping into Pakistan ‘territory’ with the first leg getting underway in three days time, but there will not be a single Pakistan player in any of the eight franchises.
The franchises are willing to welcome them with open arms but the same cannot be said about the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), who have been hesitant in including the players in the auction pool because of tensions between the two countries at the Government level.
But former Pakistan swing bowler Wasim Akram said that it was high time that both the Boards — BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board — sat across the table and worked out a solution.
“Whenever Indian and Pakistan players have played either against each other or together, they have attracted massive crowds. And, especially in this part of the world, you get plenty of support. I hope that in the near future, Pakistani players will be able to participate because we have great talent,” Akram said on the sidelines of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) practice session.
Akram, nicknamed the ‘Sultan of Swing,’ rejoined KKR as their bowling coach for IPL 7. He was with them for three seasons, from 2010 to 2012.
Akram said that cricket and the fans would be the ultimate winners if it does happen. “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 is a decision that the cricket boards of both the countries, have to take. Mixing sports and politics is going to do no good,” he added.
Pakistan players have featured in only one edition of the IPL when seven of them were picked up by franchises in the first edition in 2008. Smashing all-rounder Shahid Afridi played for the now defunct Deccan Chargers, while pacer Umar Gul was the highest wicket taker for KKR.
Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood played for Kings XI Punjab in 2013 since he held British citizenship.
The 47-year-old linked up with the squad and was pleased that the IPL was happening in the UAE. “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 Indians, 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,” Akram said with a chuckle.
He said that conditions would be ideal for T20 cricket. “The conditions are similar and probably better wickets with the ball coming nicely on to 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 make it interesting,” he said.
Akram spoke about what he does best — bowling and said that it was vital to hit the right lengths on such surfaces to get some purchase.
“Bowling on these wickets are about different lengths. The 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,” said Akram.