Politics should be kept away from cricket, says Wasim

Legendary pacer calls for the resumption of the Pakistan-India series

KARACHI:

Pakistan’s legendary fast-bowler Wasim Akram called for the resumption of bilateral cricket series with neighbours  India during a press conference at the inauguration of the LG Super Speed Programme, established to unearth and train fast-bowlers for the national side.

Amid escalating tensions between the neighbouring countries and the recent statement given by former Indian captain Saurav Ganguly that unless Pakistan achieve peace with their neighbours, India would not play against them, there are strong indications that India would pull out of the proposed bilateral series.

As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), six bilateral series were supposed to be played in eight years, with the first of the six taking place this year.

However, Wasim believes that sports and politics should be mutually exclusive of each other and that the relations between the two neighbours should not curtail sporting events, which serve the purpose of improving relations.

The 49-year-old also termed the India-Pakistan rivalry as being bigger, feistier and more competitive than even the Ashes.

“We should keep politics apart from sports and the Pakistan-India series should go ahead because nothing is better than that,” said Wasim.  “Right now, Ashes is going on and everyone says that it is the top series, but trust me when I say that nothing is bigger than a cricket match between Pakistan and India.”

The 1992 World Cup champion also hailed the PCB’s effort to start their own T20 league and asserted that the board should do everything in their power to ensure that the league starts, whether it is held in Pakistan or elsewhere. “The most important thing right now is that Pakistan’s own T20 league starts. It really doesn’t matter where it happens as long as it aids in lifting the level of cricket in Pakistan,” he said.

Six participants absent from camp

Six fast-bowlers were unable to report for the camp as the PCB failed to arrange for their transportation and will report within a day or two. Wasim will be heading the camp at Karachi’s National Stadium for 12 days, in which he would give fast-bowling tips to the budding youngsters looking to establish their name in the field.

Asked whether it would be enough for the youngsters to learn from him in just 12 days, he replied, “It’s a good enough time period for young pacers where they can be taught about the basics of fast-bowling.  Their run-up can be improved, tactical and technical adjustments can be made and a host of other improvements can be brought about in this time.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2015.

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