Imran Khan, Wasim Akram advise team

Akram suggests batting changes and Imran Khan wants team to play with four specialist bowlers.

KARACHI: Former fast bowling greats Imran Khan and Wasim Akram advised the Pakistan cricket team management to play four specialist bowlers against strong rivals in the World Cup, even if it means dropping a batsman.

Imran said conditions were such in the sub-continent that it was imperative to have a strong attack:  "I would prefer to go in with at least six bowlers, four of them specialists because matches are only won by taking wickets."

He said Pakistan had done well to crush minnows Kenya by 205 runs and middle-order batsmen got the chance to spend time out in the middle. "The win will be a great confidence booster for them but at same time the team management must decide on how to balance the playing eleven and their bowling attack. Because playing just three specialist bowlers and depending on Abdul Razzaq to share the new ball and then on two all-round spinners is a risky tactic for me in these conditions where pitches favor batsmen," Imran told a local television channel.

He said the team management must play at least four specialist bowlers even if they have to drop a batsmen. "The way they have set up the format of this World Cup, I don't think Pakistan should face any problems qualifying for quarterfinals. And to me, the real contest will come in the knockout stages before which we must have clearly finalized our playing eleven."

Akram said he would prefer to have wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal open innings with either Hafeez or Ahmad Shehzad and Younis Khan batting at number three with Razzaq also going up the order.  "I think Razzaq at the moment in these conditions in the World Cup is being wasted at the number eight position. He is not getting enough overs to bat. Given his experience he can easily bat up the order and that would allow Pakistan to play an extra bowler," he added.

He felt Pakistan could face problems if they went in with three specialist bowlers only against stronger opponents. "I had talks with the captain and coach and told them to play at least four specialist bowlers. We must use Shoaib Akhtar as an impact and wicket-taking bowler and have a third pacer or second specialist spinner in the side. I have no doubt Shoaib can make an impact in the tournament.  He looked sharp against Kenya and he is still a match-winner," Akram stated.