Four-day ties the best way to improve, says Akram

Andrew Flintoff has set sail on Twenty20 freelancing but Pakistan legend Wasim Akram sincerely hopes it doesn’t become a rage, reports HT Correspondent.

Andrew Flintoff has set sail on Twenty20 freelancing but Pakistan legend Wasim Akram sincerely hopes it doesn’t become a rage.

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Into the third day as a mentor here at the Knight Riders camp, Akram said: “Playing the four-day version is the best possible way to improve. You do well there, automatically you start performing in the other formats as well.”

Akram — who played five T20s for Hampshire in 2003 — also spoke about the importance of planning one’s innings while batting. “The period between the sixth and the 13th overs is the most important. The batsmen have to build on the momentum and if a score of 180-odd is achieved, chasing that in front of a packed stadium could be difficult,” the 43-year-old said here on Sunday.

“Also as a bowler, you have to read the batsman’s mind,” Akram said. “We are talking about slower deliveries and yorkers which come in handy on the dead tracks,” he said.

Akram said he had taken up the case of each bowler at the camp separately and spoken to the medium-pacers about reverse swing. “It’s a very useful weapon for a fast bowler. I hope they can learn it by the time the IPL starts,” the former Pakistan captain said.

Sourav Ganguly is back at the helm and Akram said the experience so far has been enjoyable. “The morale is high. Sourav is a positive person, a proven leader. He is working hard with (coach) Dav (Whatmore) and the other guys. There is a lot of talent. Everyone knows his job and though it’s still some way to go, we are hopeful of doing well,” he said.