Pakistan bowlers should go after a vulnerable Indian middle order when the two teams clash in the marquee World Cup game on Sunday, says former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram.
Akram, hero of many Indo-Pak cricketing battles, is hopeful that Mohammed Amir led attack would do well to find the chinks in the Indian middle-order.
"India have a solid top order. Not only there is Virat (Kohli) but there's also Rohit (Sharma). But I have a feeling that middle order isn't that settled. Pakistan bowlers should try to cash in on that aspect," Akram said.
Amir's presence in the side is a big positive feels Akram. The left arm pacer took 5 for 30 against Australia albeit in a lost cause.
"I don't know why did they drop Amir in the first place. His presence even when he is not at his best is important. He is a senior bowler now and I believe he has a duty to guide the youngsters," Akram said.
He has confidence in Babar Azam but wouldn't like comparisons with Virat Kohli.
"Babar Azam is a very talented batsman and it's good to see his consistency. He shouldn't be compared to Virat and let him play freely."
The 'Sultan of Swing' is however disappointed that young fast bowlers these days don't know the use of wrists.
"Aajkal ke ladke wrists kahaan maarte hain. (Bowlers nowadays don't use their wrists). How do you even expect bowlers to get swing?" he questioned.
Two new balls from both ends have been quite a deterrent for bowlers but the legendary Wasim Akram is of the opinion that the white Dukes used during the 1999 edition was better for seamers.
Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood made life difficult for the opposition during that World Cup in England where Pakistan reached the finals.
"The seam of the kookaburra ball is not pronounced and I have always found Dukes to be the best ball. I don't know why the ICC had done away with the Duke Whites. Those balls would have certainly swung more," Akram said.
India must not entertain thoughts that they would start favourites in the marquee World Cup clash against Pakistan, warned stalwarts Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar.
Ganguly said the Indian team perhaps made the mistake of taking Pakistan lightly in the 2017 Champions Trophy final and had to bite the dust.
"India needs to be very careful, don't go into this game thinking they are the favourites. I think they did that the last time in 2017 in the ICC Champions Trophy finals, and Pakistan beat them hands down. It's going to be a great game of cricket," commented Ganguly as an expert for Star Sports ahead of the game.
Tendulkar also said that India cannot afford to take the traditional rivals lightly.
"Pakistan has always been unpredictable, and they are a dangerous side - so there is no way the Indian team is going to take them lightly. Every step that the Indian team takes forward, we would want to be 100% sure of what we are doing, and it is well thought and well planned," he said.
The hype and interest an India-Pakistan cricket match generates is surreal and both Tendukar and Ganguly agreed that "it is more than just a cricket match".
