india are favorites says akram
Pakistan bowling legend Wasim Akram has put his money on India, ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming clash against India. Pakistan will play three Tests and five One Day Internationals against rivals India.
Said Akram to reporters in Dubai: "India are the favourites because they’ve got the home crowd behind them. And, it is also very difficult to get them out on those wickets."
The first ODI against Pakistan is to be played in the north-eastern city of Guwahati on November 5. Other venues for the ODI series include Mohali, Kanpur, Gwalior and Jaipur. The Test series to follow will be held in New Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore.
Akram was famed for his partnership with Wagar Younis, where the duo combined to torment batsmen through their career in the 1990s. And, he feels former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq’s absence had made Pakistan’s middle-order look suspect.
"The vacuum created by Inzamam will be felt greatly during the Indian series. The middle-order will feel the pressure of his absence, especially on those flat wickets," said the left-arm pace bowler.
Akram believes that the talented pace ace Shoaib Akhtar can still deliver the goods when he returns to face India. The troubled Akhtar returned to international cricket with a four-wicket haul in the fifth and final ODI against South Africa.
"Shoaib’s return to the Pakistan side may have an impact if he can get his rhythm and swing," said Akram.
He also reserved special praise for Irfan Pathan for bowling well in Indian conditions. But Akram still has doubts whether the Indian all-rounder would be useful during an upcoming tour of Australia.
"Pathan is now bowling well. In fact, every second ball that he bowled against Australia was a leg-break. But that was on Indian wickets. On Australian wickets he might suffer. He needs to concentrate more on his swing and improve it," he added.
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