Akram feels Shoaib's experience is a 'must' for SA Test series

Lahore, Sep 27 (UNI) T20 may be the flavour of the month, but Test cricket needs experienced individuals like Shoaib Akhtar, feels former captain Wasim Akram.

Akram was of the view that though the Shoaib Malik-led young team performed exceedingly well in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, the traditional version of cricket is an entirely different ball game and the Pakistan team needed the services of Shoaib Akhtar to give it an edge over South Africa.

The 41-year-old former all-rounder has urged the PCB to include Shoaib in the team for the home series against South Africa which starts at Karachi from October 1.

''Twenty20 is an entertaining form of cricket but it can not speak about the real talent of a cricketer.

''Test cricket is the real thing and I believe Shoaib (Akhtar) has the talent and potential to play for the country for another two years,'' Akram said.

However, the controversial pacer's future remains uncertain after the PCB imposed an indefinite ban on him over hitting fellow pacer Mohammad Asif with a bat during the team's practice session before the start of the Twenty20 World Cup in Johannesburg earlier this month.

The PCB later asked Shoaib to take the first flight back home and announced an inquiry into the incident. However, the inquiry was yet to start and Akram asked the nation's board to speed up the process of starting the inquiry so that a clear verdict can come up in the fiery pacer's case.

''The PCB should start the inquiry immediately into the case and should announce the verdict well before the start of the Test series.

I believe Shoaib is still the need of the team and he must be playing against South Africa,'' he said.

''To me the case is over since Shoaib has already apologised to the nation and also to Asif,'' he added.

The Cricketer-turned-commentator, who had represented Pakistan in 104 Test and 356 ODIs, said the morale of the nation was high after Pakistan played the final of the Twenty20 World Cup, but in order to maintain the winning tempo, the country's best team should be fielded against the Proteas.

UNI