'Shoaib's new run-up will trouble India'

"He is looking good and I think he'll be a handful for the Indians if we prepare pitches with some carry and bounce for the Tests," said Wasim Akram.

Revealing that pace ace Shoaib Akhtar had been convinced to shorten his run-up, former Pakistan great Wasim Akram said the change made the Rawalpindi Express' run through the English batting line-up in the recently concluded series.

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"I think they've (team management) shortened his (Akhtar's) starting point and have brought about a slight reduction in his run-up," the legendary left-arm seamer told The News and added, "His success came due to his changed attitude and because of the change in his run-up; it has made a difference."

Akram also observed that the change had helped injury-prone Shoaib bowl through out the series without any fitness problem.

However, he added the there was no scope to reduce the run-up furthermore.

"I don't think he can reduce it anymore than what he has already done," Akram opined.

Shoaib, who had a public fall-out with captain Inzamam-ul Haq and coach Bob Woolmer after the duo insisted that he needed to reduce his run-up, finished with 17 wickets in the three Tests against England and also had a five-wicket haul in the second one-dayer at Lahore.

"He is looking good and I think he'll be a handful for the Indians if we prepare pitches with some carry and bounce for the Tests. He is a pure match-winner and he can win matches for you. I think he'll be a vital player in the coming series," Wasim observed.