Zaheer is best left-arm pacer in the game today, says Akram

Dubai: Wasim Akram, one of the finest left-arm pacers in the world in his time, believes India's Zaheer Khan is the best left-arm fast bowler in the game on Friday.

Asked whom he would pick as the best from among all the bowlers in the world, Akram said: "Without doubt Zaheer Khan is the best. He has improved his bowling. He can swing the ball both ways and also get it to reverse swing. He can also bowl close to the wicket, wide of the crease and round the wicket."

Akram, who bagged 414 wickets in Test matches and 502 wickets in one-dayers, has in the past provided tips to Khan on the art of swing bowling.

He was delighted to hear about Khan's seven-wicket haul against Uttar Pradesh in the ongoing Ranji Trophy final in India.

Akram, who has captained Pakistan, named India as the strongest team in the world today.

"India have won against Australia at home and away, and beaten England and South Africa. I will admit that South Africa are the best only if they do well in India during their tour."

Akram said he was disappointed by the cancellation of the India-Pakistan series.

"With India becoming the best team in the world, Pakistan should play against them. Sporting ties should never be cancelled," he said, expressing concern over the lack of international cricket matches in Pakistan.

"If Pakistan does not get to play international cricket, they may lose more players to the Indian Cricket League (ICL). If cricketers do not get enough opportunity to play the game they will leave.

"So Pakistan should play international cricket either at home or abroad at any cost. Pakistan will find their tour to Australia in October really tough as they have not played Test cricket for close to one year," he said.

On Shoaib Malek's performance as Pakistan captain, Akram candidly admitted he was his biggest supporter intially, but lost faith in him later.

"He has improved a lot. Cricket captaincy is something you learn over the years. You have to learn to handle the media, the senior players and how to act off the field. He has to learn to take advantage of senior players because without their support you cannot go a long way."