Akram warns ICC to hold T-20 World Cup
Image : Collected
|| Desk Report ||
Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has warned that International Cricket Council (ICC) should wait for a ‘suitable time’ to host the big-ticketing event after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
The fate of the extravaganza will be decided by the world cricket apex body in its next meeting which is scheduled to be held on June 10 via teleconference. The ICC has to consider a lot of things before hosting the mega event.
“Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea. I mean, how could you have a cricket World Cup without spectators,” said Wasim Akram, who created consternation inside batsmen with his sheer swing and pace bowling stint during his playing life.
“A World Cup is all about big crowds, spectators coming from all parts of the globe to support their teams. It’s all about the atmosphere and you cannot get it behind closed doors,” Akram told ‘The News’ on Thursday, according to news agency PTI.
“I believe that they (ICC) should wait for a more suitable time and once this pandemic subsides and restrictions are eased then we can have a proper World Cup,” he added.
The global body is currently looking at contingency plans to see if it can fit the World Cup in some other slot that is what Akram too thinks should happen.
The former left arm paceman also spoke about the ICC Cricket Committee’s recommendation of banning the use of saliva to shine the ball.
Akram opined that the global body needs to find a quick fix to the issue as using sweat alone will not be enough for the bowlers.
“I’m sure fast bowlers won’t like it if they are stopped from using saliva to shine the ball. They are allowing sweat but I can say for sure that it isn’t the same,” the legendary fast-bowler said.
“You shine the ball with saliva and sweat is just something of an add-on, a top-up. Too much use of sweat will leave the cricket ball too wet,” he added.
