Important for Pakistan to take wickets with new ball against Australia: Wasim Akram

By
Faizan Lakhani
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TAUNTON: Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram says the team needs a bowler who can take wickets with the new ball, regularly.

Speaking to Geo.tv in Taunton ahead of Pakistan’s game against Australia, Akram said it is important for Pakistan to take quick wickets with the new ball in the match against defending champions Australi and that pacer Hassan Ali will have to play a role there.

“It is important for Pakistan to get quick wickets from the new ball. I hope Aamir will continue with his form and it’s time for Hasan to get some wickets with the new ball,” the Sultan of Swing said.

He added, “If Shaheen had to be included then he should have played in the first game. I would have gone with him in place of Hassan. We need a wicket-taking bowler from the new ball.”

Akram emphasized on the need of at least one big score by the top three batsmen. The former captain also advised Fakhar Zaman to change his game and play ball on merit instead of attempting to blindly hit every second ball.

“Key in England is to have a good start,” he said. “Fakhar is now a senior player and he must change his game according to the situation. You can’t hit every batsman coming forward. Everyone has seen him how he can be captured. If the ball is coming then it’s okay, but don’t hit blindly. Imam is very good technique wise, so is Babar. So, it is important than at least one of them scores in the eighties.”

Australia, in lead up to the game, had defeated Pakistan 5-0 in bilateral series but they were outclassed by India at the Oval on last Sunday.

Akram added he feels that the result of series in the UAE won’t have much impact on the game and Pakistan can exploit the Australian team that’s coming to Taunton after a defeat.

But, he also warned Pakistan that Australia can be a dangerous side too.

“Australia is coming after losing the game to India and Pakistan must have this in mind and try to take maximum advantage but they must be aware of the fact that they can be threatening. You can’t be complacent against Australia, although India outclassed them with proper controlled,” he said.

“Pakistan was experimenting with different combinations in the bilateral series earlier. It was a bilateral and different series. But this is the World Cup and now senior players are back and the way team has won the previous game I am sure they’ll do well,” Akram hoped.

He further said the conditions suggest that toss will be important and side winning the toss would prefer to bowl first.

“The wickets look a bit green and in the overcast conditions, the pitch wouldn’t have got much rolled as well, there would be moisture on the wicket as well so that it is going to help bowlers,” he said.

“It is important for both the teams to have proper cricket in Taunton. Australia is coming to this match after losing to India and Pakistan has just one win in the World Cup so far, so it is important for both the teams to get these two points. I think it is important for team management that they don’t get relaxed and think about a proper full game,” Akram added.