Former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram has taken a playful dig at India’s T20 World Cup squad, noting that none of them were part of the IPL 2024 final. Wasim Akram called it a ‘blessing in disguise,’ suggesting a focus on national duty over IPL glory.
Wasim Akram, a name that echoes the art of swing bowling, is a legend etched in the history of cricket. Akram’s reign as a bowler was nothing short of phenomenal. Nicknamed the “Sultan of Swing” for a reason, this left-arm fast bowler cast a spell on batsmen throughout the 1980s and 1990s. His mastery of swing and seam bowling made him nearly unplayable in his prime. The sheer number of wickets he claimed speaks volumes – he holds the record for the most ODI wickets taken by a fast bowler (a staggering 502) and remains the highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in Test cricket (with 414 wickets). But Akram wasn’t just a bowling powerhouse. His ability to contribute valuable runs lower down the order solidified his reputation as a true all-rounder.
Team India players who did not participate in the IPL 2024 playoffs have already arrived in New York, USA, for the 2024 T20 World Cup. This group includes skipper Rohit Sharma, pacer Jasprit Bumrah, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and returning wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.
What Wasim Akram Said
Akram was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda,
“Well, now at least none of them will have to say that they are tired. They were thinking ahead, what is the point of reaching the final, India is more important, we will play with the country. But it could be a blessing in disguise for India,”
“We discussed in the previous show that I was worried that they might be tired, and they will be tired, no doubt. Even America is not their road. I think Pakistan’s first match is Dallas if I remember. Now they will go and play there, one or two practice matches. It will be okay, I suppose. It is T20, the boys will recover, nowadays fitness levels are very high,”
Yuzvendra Chahal and Avesh Khan departed for the USA on Monday night. At the same time, a group including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and others had left Mumbai for New York on Saturday and arrived on Monday. Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rinku Singh are expected to join soon after their IPL commitments, while Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli will join the squad later.
India will have their only warm-up match against Bangladesh at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 1.
India kicks off their T20 World Cup campaign on June 5 against Group A rivals Ireland in New York, with a highly-anticipated encounter against Pakistan slated for June 9.
Following this, India will take on co-hosts USA on June 12 in New York before heading to Florida to face Canada on June 15, concluding their Group A fixtures. India, the inaugural champions in 2007, are vying to secure the title for the second time.
Also Read: IPL 2024 : Wasim Akram’s Big Prediction For RCB’s Glenn Maxwell In IPL 2024 Knockouts