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I will help Irfan Pathan: Akram
February 27, 2004 18:30 IST
Legendary Pakistani paceman Wasim Akram has said he would continue to help any young fast bowler, including India's Irfan Pathan, who comes to him for advice.
"If Irfan (Pathan) or any other 18-year old came to me for help, I would definitely give him tips," Akram said in an interactive programme on a Pakistan local TV channel.
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"In my days, I used to go to (Malcolm) Marshall and Kapil (Dev) and others," said Akram, the only bowler in the history of the game to have 400 or more wickets in both Tests and one-day internationals.
The former captain was caught in a controversy after he was reported to have been approached by the Indian cricket board to be the fast bowling coach of the national team two months ago.
Although the controversy died down after Akram himself denied any such offer from the BCCI, he invited the wrath of the critics when he offered advice to rookie Pathan on India's tour of Australia.
Coach Javed Miandad even accused Akram of providing the arch-rivals with the Pakistan's traditional "secrets."
Akram said express bowler Shoaib Akhtar was the only player who could help Pakistan beat India in the upcoming cricket series next month.
"In my view, Shoaib is the one-man team Pakistan has against India and it depends on the captain as to how he uses the bowler," Akram said.
Commenting on the lack of consistency of the Pakistan team, the record breaking fast bowler said it was a part of the whole system.
"When consistency is not being seen in any department of the country how can Pakistan team be consistent. There is politics at every place. In 1999 alone, three captains were changed and still we talk about inconsistency."
Intikhab Alam, another former Test cricketer who appeared on the TV show, stressed on the need for a full time psychologist for the national team.
"There should not only be a cricket analyst but also a psychologist with the team," he said.