Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram suggested Shahid Afridi and his bowlers to get rid of in-form India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh as early as possible during their ICC World Cup 2011 semi-final in Mohali on Wednesday if they hope to reach the tournament final in Mumbai on 2 April.
“Shahid Afridi and team will have to bowl intelligently to him (Yuvraj),” said the legendary pacer while talking to a cricket website. “They will have to stop his run-flow and that's the only way I think Yuvraj can be stopped.”
Akram said that the stylish Punjab batsman has shown great attitude in the World Cup so far and is eager to play long innings. He further added that Yuvraj has converted good starts to fifties and a century which he felt could be disastrous for Pakistan if they did not dismiss him early.
The 29-year-old Chandigarh player has so far earned four Man of the Match awards and has compiled a tally of 341 runs at a astounding average of 113.66 besides claiming 11 scalps at a bowling average of 24.63.
The former Pakistan great also hailed the Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his judicious and smart captaincy and admired his horses-for-courses strategy.
India’s bowling attack has apparently been their weak link in the showpiece event so far. However, Wasim Akram warned Pakistan batsmen not to take Indian attack lightly. He said that the Zaheer Khan-led bowling brigade of co-hosts is doing pretty well. The best thing about Indian attack, according to the former Pakistan seamer, was their variety.
Akram singled out India’s spearhead pacer, Zaheer Khan for praise. He said that Khan has been bowling well over the past two years but his length has been perfect in the ongoing World Cup.
When asked about the pressure of crowd on the teams, Akram reckoned India would be more under pressure since they are the hosts.
“India will be the team under pressure, not Pakistan. The media in India is big and strong. The pressure created by them is simply mind-boggling and then there are a billion people with massive expectations,” said the legendary pacer.
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