Wasim Akram fears the excessive number of matches could be a killjoy in the longdrawn Indian Premier League, which he feels is only meant to entertain the cricket lovers.
KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram fears the excessive number of matches could be a killjoy in the longdrawn Indian Premier League, which he feels is only meant to entertain the cricket lovers.
Akram advised the IPL organisers to reduce the duration of the tournament to ensure continued interest of the fans.
"It has got to a stage where it has become a bit too long and the whole tournament has become a bit complicated because of the number of matches each team is playing.
"The IPL has been a success because Twenty20 cricket is all about entertainment. It is not real cricket. But I would advise the organisers when they organise it next time reduce the duration of the league and number of matches," Akram told reporters.
Akram quipped that after following the IPL since it started on April 18 he felt as if his son had grown from a four-year old to a seven-year old.
The former pace great who took over 900 wickets in Tests and one-day internationals said that he would love to coach the Pakistan team if ever such an offer came his way.
"No one has ever offered me this position as yet. But if it comes I will definitely give it a thought because I am interested in coaching our players.
"I feel this is the right time for me to payback something to Pakistan cricket for everything it has given to me," he said.
The left-arm pacer since his retirement in 2003 has never been offered any long term assignment by the PCB.
Akram also took a jibe at Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson, saying he should be in Pakistan preparing and planning ahead for the future instead of going on a long vacation.
"I have nothing against him as a coach but I am surprised that he has preferred to take a long vacation instead of staying back in Pakistan and doing a sweep of the available talent at home."
Akram, who is in his hometown these days, said he was not concerned with the performances of Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul.
"I think they struggled because they are recovering from fitness issues but there is no doubt about their potential. The future of our pace attack is in good hands with them around," Akram said.
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