Lahore, May 14: As the Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar rattled Delhi Dardevil's top order, former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram today said Kolkata Knight Riders coach John Buchanan had shown that the pacer needed to be ''handled more firmly and professionally''.

Controversial Pakistani speedster Akhtar returned with brilliant figures of 3-0-11-4 that ensured a 23-run victory for the Kolkata Knight Riders last night at Eden Garden, Kolkata. Akram also said Akhtar's performance was boosted by big crowds and centre stage. ''I had said Shoaib has the ability to perform in the IPL. He is the type of cricketer who is boosted by big crowds and centre stage,'' Akram said. ''But the way Buchanan handled him also shows that he needs to be handled more firmly and professionally to get the best results out of him,'' he added.

Former captain Rashid Latif said for a bowler like Shoaib, Twenty20 cricket was the ideal brand of competition and he could become a big draw and performer in such leagues.

''I am happy for him because he has gone through a bad time in recent months and he needed a break,'' Latif said.

UNI