"Irfan should learn from Vaas"

In New Delhi recently for a fast bowlers’ camp, Wasim Akram spoke to Mobile ESPN’s Faisal Kamal in an exclusive interview.

Wasim Akram may have voiced his disappointment about Irfan Pathan’s omission from the 30-member probables’ list for the Champions Trophy, but the former Pakistan captain now has a word of advice for the Baroda pacer, whose form on a cricket field has run hot-and-cold in recent times.

Akram believes Irfan should take a leaf out of veteran Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas’ book. Akram said, “Vaas was one of the few bowlers who used his limitations to great advantage and Irfan should learn from him.

“Irfan is a good swing bowler without much express pace, very similar to Vaas. Once he (Irfan) realizes this, he will be a much better bowler. Lateral movement is his key, not pace.”

The young Pathan, a die-hard Akram fan, has been helped by the Sultan of Swing on a number of occasions in his rollercoaster career. Akram said, “The 24-year-old Irfan is young and has all the time in the world to improve on his skills. He should not get disappointed by failures but rather treat them as stepping stones towards success.”

Akram has been quite instrumental in polishing the rough edges of Indian pacers, especially Zaheer Khan and Irfan. Not only Zaheer and Irfan, but any left-arm pacer in the world has Wasim in his thoughts mind when he attempts to make cricket’s ‘big’ league.

Akram opines, “More than talent it’s the attitude that takes a player many a mile, especially in international cricket. And fast bowling requires a lot of mental toughness.”

Akram is again willing to help out-of-favour Irfan comeback to the reckoning. He said, “I am willing to help anybody who comes to me for advice. Irfan has done that on a couple of occasions and if he needs more assistance I will be more than happy to do it.”

Irfan, who has played 29 Test matches and 107 one-dayers, has taken 100 Test and 152 ODI wickets. Once termed as the emerging Kapil Dev, Irfan has also enjoys a Test average of 31.57.

“No one can ignore the fact that Irfan is also a useful all-rounder. That will help the youngster to not only make a comeback in the Indian squad but he should be certainly looking ahead to the 2011 World Cup,” Akram adds.

That’s good enough pep talk for Irfan to pick up his pieces and get going.