Akram offers to help Pak pacers Junaid, Wahab during World Cup 2011

KARACHI - Former Pakistan bowling great Wasim Akram has offered his services to the national team management to help groom two left-arm pacers in Pakistan’s World Cup squad- Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz.

Akram, who is considered to be one of the best left-arm fast bowlers in the history of cricket, has been spending time with the Pakistan players and chief coach Waqar Younis in Sri Lanka.

“Yes I have told Waqar [Younis] and Shahid Afridi that I am available to help Wahab and Junaid whenever they want me because I have a lot of spare time on hand in Sri Lanka,” Geo Super channel quoted Akram, as saying.

The former Pakistan captain said that he had not seen rookie pacer Junaid bowling till now, but had heard good things about him from coach Waqar and ODI skipper Afridi.

“I love working with the younger bowlers especially if they are left armers. I would love to help the Pakistan team in this World Cup by working with Wahab and Junaid,” he added.kram, now a noted TV commentator and cricket expert, also denied that while he had time to help out Indian bowlers Irfan Khan and Zaheer Khan, he did not give time to the Pakistan youngsters.

“It is a totally wrong impression because I conducted a fast bowling camp two years back for the Pakistan board and Muhammad Aamir was among the trainees in that camp. When I have time I have no issues helping out our players and passing them on some of my own experiences,” he explained.

The legendary pacer said he did not think that reverse swing would be effective in this World Cup, which is being co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

“The ball is changed after 34 overs and between the 40th and 50th overs, I think bowlers must now depend a lot on slow yorkers, bouncers and variation in length. You must keep the batsmen thinking all the time,” he said.

“The good thing is that Pakistan have quality spinners, all-rounders as well as good pace bowlers in this World Cup,” he added. (ANI)