Dhoni is one of my favorites: Wasim Akram

Panaji, Mar 27 (UNI) Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has said Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of his favorite cricketers from the present Indian team.

Akram said he is impressed by Dhoni's captaincy -- the way he leads the team and takes bold decisions.

Akram, who was in Goa to shoot for a sugar-free product ''Kaloree'', told newspersons, ''I fully back Dhoni and the manner in which he led India in Australia in the one-day series, where India thrashed the World Champions in their own backyard.'' ''I have played in Australia and I know beating Australia in Australia in the finals is an impossible task. But, India under Dhoni, just thrashed them and won the CB series trophy. That was a fantastic achievement,'' Akram said.

About master-blaster Sachin, Akram said people may write off Sachin Tendulkar, ''but I personally feel that he has at least two to three years of active cricketing left in him. His class is unquestionable.'' Referring to the recent controversy surrounding Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds over alleged racial abuse by the Indian off-spinner, Akram said the issue was blown out of proportion by the media and what happened on the field should have been left on the field itself.

About Delhi-based 19-year-old Ishant Sharma, Akram said the former is a great find for India in the fast-bowling department since the last 20 years. ''I have not seen a young fast bowler at such an express pace on tours to Australia and he definitely has a great future for India.'' Asked whether he would take to coaching if offered the job, Akram, who is presently a TV commentator, said, ''Coaching is different ball game. I have no skills in coaching, and so have no plans to move into that field.'' UNI SRN DB CS HS1606