The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Pakistan can surprise Australia: Akram

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Saturday, Feb 03, 2007
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Pakistan can surprise Australia: Akram

Karachi: Former captain Wasim Akram believes Pakistan could be the team to surprise Australia and spice up the World Cup which has become a little boring with Ricky Ponting's men winning the title in the last two editions.

``Australia appears favourites to win the World Cup in the West Indies. They have been winning consistently and it is becoming rather boring,'' Akram said.

``But if any team can beat the Aussies in the Caribbeans, it is Pakistan. Wickets in the West Indies will be low, slow and dry and such pitches suit our players,'' he was quoted as saying in the Dawn.

Akram, the only bowler to have taken over 400 wickets in both versions of the game, advised Pakistan to focus on improving its fielding for the March-April mega event.

``Fielding will be a key factor and it can be improved if we work very hard in this department,'' he said.

Akram said he favoured a foreign coach for the team because it reduced the chances of bias but ``in my opinion, Bob Woolmer is not behaving impartially which is an area of concern at the moment.''

He also said fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's fitness would be crucial for Pakistan's chances in the mega event.

``The fitness of Shoaib, skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq and players like Kamran Akmal would be very important. Inzamam is a strong captain and he also has a big say in selection of the team. Hopefully, the best eleven would be picked for every game in the West Indies.'' — PTI

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