Source: The Statesman

NEW DELHI, Sept.1: “I hope Pakistan host the Champions Trophy next year,” said Wasim Akram (Photo right) at a Press conference at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium here today. Akram was in the city for the week long coaching camp for school children.

Asked how the postponement of the Champions Trophy will affect Pakistani cricket, he said, “Undoubtedly it will affect Pakistan’s cricket and if Pakistan don’t play any Test in next six months, it will surely have adverse effect on our players as all of the other cricketing nations are playing Tests regularly.” Akram said he had a plan for a coaching academy in Delhi. “I am looking forward to open an academy to unearth the grass root talent in the country. To me all the children are same; whether they are in Pakistan, India or Sri Lanka.” Akram, who did not share the common opinion that the tradition of fast bowlers are declining in Pakistan, said, Pakistan still had a bunch of the great fast bowlers like Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammed Sami, Umar Gul and Mohammed Asif. Commenting on the ambience of sub continental cricket Akram said, “Australia dictated the world cricket for more than a decade now but now the rise of a team like India ensures the future of the game in sub continent.”

PCB plan scupperd Pakistan’s hopes of playing in a proposed tri-series in South Africa later this month are slowly fading because of lack of interest in the tournament from sponsors and broadcasters, reports from Karachi added.

According to details, CSA is having difficulties in roping in sponsors and broadcasters for the tri-series as most of them have already exhausted their sports budget during the Olympics and the rising popularity of Twenty20 has diminished sponsors’ interest in the 50-over format. Pakistan is desperate for the series as their cricketers have been mostly starved of quality cricket action this year.

Asif’s plight
Mohammed Asif is yet to receive a fresh date for his appeal against a positive drug test for the banned substance nandronlone.

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Tags: champions trophy, Cricket, Pakistan, Wasim Akram