Wasim Akram: UAE wickets ideal for IPL

Dubai: UAE wickets will be suitable for Indian Premier League (IPL), feels legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram, currently the bowling adviser to the Kolkata Knight Riders team.

Speaking to Gulf News during the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 Cup where he was one of the commentators for the event, Akram said: “Wickets in the UAE are ideal for Twenty20 cricket. It has been proved during the Pakistan team’s series with other countries and hence it should be exciting for the spectators.”

Talking about his team, Akram said: “Our squad has got a good bowling attack in pacers in Morne Morkel, Pat Cummins and Umesh Yadav while the spin department is also strong.

“We have a good allround squad which includes players like Jacques Kallis, one of the greatest allrounders, West Indies pinner Sunil Narine who is among the finest spinners in the game and Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan with his allround skills. Above all, a captain in Gautam Gambhir who has been very inspiring,” said Akram, who plans to oversee the team’s six-day training in Abu Dhabi before the start of the tournament.

Referring to players like West Indian Andre Russell and Ryan ten Doeschate of The Netherlands, Akram said they would also bring value in the team.