Akram slams Chappell's experimentations

Lucknow, Oct 9 (UNI) Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram came down heavily on Team India coach Greg Chappell's continued experimentations and said it has already boomeranged.

Criticising the Aussie for tinkering with the batting order, the former pace great said Chappell's experimentations, that too ahead of the World Cup, has backfired and created a sense of insecurity among the players.

''I don't agree with Chappell's ideology of experimenting with the players as it will only depress the youngesters and affect their confidence'', he argued.

Talking to reporters here, Akram wondered how could a player give his best if he is not sure of playing in the next match.

''Lot of experiments might put the players under unnecessary pressure and I think the Indian team is facing those problems,'' he added.

Commenting on the recent controversy on the skipper issue in the Pakistani team, Akram blamed Younis Khan for creating rift in the team.

Reacting to Younis Khan's quitting captaincy before accepting it again, Akram felt ''Such things leave a bad impression on the youngesters and other members of the team.

''I think Younis should shed his ego because to lead a country, a player has to dedicate himself for the game'', he said.

To a querry on the Indian pace attack, Akram felt they have got the talents but lack experience.

''(S) Sreesanth, Munaf Patel, RP Singh, (Ajit) Agarkar along with (Irfan) Pathan have lot of potentials but they clearly lack experience'', he said.

Akram said though Australia is the favourite to win the ICC Champions Trophy, Asian trio of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka can upset the favourites.

Akram once again rued that the Indian team managament handed a harsh deal to former captain Sourav Ganguly and said, ''Sourabh is one of the best and successful Indian skippers but still politics has overpowered the game of cricket.

'' Had I been in his place, I would have taken retirement from the game'', he said.

Commenting on the recent ball-tampering issue, Akram felt the Asian cricket boards should do more to protect their players.

Akram was in Lucknow to promote Diabetic patients under the banner of Roche Accu-Chek and he said that he wants to set up a foundation for the cause of the disease in India and Pakistan.

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