Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram has said that he did not believe in ranking and England, trailing 0-2 against Pakistan, can only win at home. He also endorsed Gautam Gambhir’s view that India should play on spinning wickets while hosting teams like England and Australia. Faced with severe criticism by the Indian media for failing to handle the pace and bounce of the Australian tracks, Gambhir had insisted that the Aussies would sweat on turners in the sub-continent. And Akram also feels the same. “I always believe in home advantage. If Australia rely on green pitches then the sub-continent teams can make turning tracks too. There is nothing wrong with that,” said Akram. The 45-year-old also felt that even England also could win only at home.
England, who defeated India 4-0 at home last year to snatch the No.1 tag from them, are now trailing Pakistan 0-2 in the ongoing three-match Test series in the UAE. “It’s (World No.1) a very misleading number,” Akram told espnstar.com. “England are lions only at home. Their weaknesses are always exposed on foreign tours. A top side is one that can handle every condition. West Indies did it in the 1970s and 80s. Pakistan did it for while under Imran Khan, when we were playing. Australia have done that in the 1990s,” he added.
Stating that he was “proud of Pakistan”, Akram said, “After going through a lot of trouble and being slammed by the media, they are back to winning ways. I always believed that Pakistan have the talent and the ability and now they have answered the British media who were overtly critical of them.”
England are in danger of losing the top spot if they lose the third Test. India have dropped to No.3 after their 0-4 whitewash but Akram said he didn’t believe in rankings.
“The rankings may be of interest to the ICC or to the fans but I don’t read much into them. For the players and for people who understand the game, it’s about performance. If you consistently perform well at home and abroad, then you are good. If not, then there is no use of being No.1 or 2.”
We will see when this Pakistani team play in England. Playing on dead and turning wickets and winning the match is not a great victory.
same word for India,
England No. 1 , India WOrld Champs and both are lions at home…
I wish a time comes for indo-pak clash and pakistan whitewashes india in india.
ghar k sher or bahir k……
THE fact is PAKISTAN cricket team is since years not playying in pakistan but even performing consistantly nd considerbly well while indians were are nd might b ll only playing well either with home grounds or teams like zimb abroad
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