Not enough time for Pakistan to get ready: Wasim Akram

Former captain says the team should have planned a proper series against NZ to acclimatise to the conditions

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain and the miraculous left-arm fast-bowler Wasim Akram expressed his concerns over Pakistan's limited preparation time in New Zealand and Australia before the 2015 World Cup while talking to a private news channel, reported Press Trust of India.

"When you look at India and how they are still struggling despite being in Australia for the past two months and having played a lot of matches, it does raises concerns whether Pakistan have enough time to go well prepared into the World Cup," said Wasim.

"It takes time to adjust to the pitches and conditions in both countries and I have toured those nations many times in the past. I just think a few warm up games and two ODIs against New Zealand is not the proper preparation for such a mega event.

"We should have played a full ODI series in New Zealand and had some more games in Australia before the World Cup," said Wasim, who was a part of the 1992 World Cup winning team.

He further commented that Pakistan team looked unprepared when they came in for batting and bowling which helped New Zealand beat them by making an easy affair out of it.

"New Zealand team has been in great form off-late and I was expecting them to win, but not expecting them to beat us so comfortably. It became a one-sided clash," said Wasim.

"One could see the batsmen are still to adjust to the seam conditions in New Zealand and our bowling is not hitting top gear."

Meanwhile, former chief selector Mohsin Khan also expressed his disappointment.

"The team looks out of sync with the conditions in New Zealand," said Mohsin.

"We are fortunate Misbah is scoring runs and Shahid Afridi today blasted a great innings. But it is the bowling and fielding which is looking ragged to me."

 

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