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Batting is Lanka’s bane - Akram
“Sri Lanka’s batting is too inexperienced to compete with good sides in world cricket.” Said former captain and Pakistani reverse swing legend Wasim Akram in a brief interview with The Sunday Times. He added that other than for Kumar Sangakkara and the present skipper Mahela Jayawardene, the rest of the batting lacked the experience and consistency to cope with quality seam and spin bowling.

Akram was able to have a good look at the Sri Lankan on their somewhat chequered tour of Bangladesh. His comments come after a two nil whitewash at the hands of Pakistan in the recently concluded one day series against Pakistan and on the eve of the first which starts at the SSC today.

“I was very impressed with young Lasith Malinga in Bangladesh. He is quick and with his slingly arm action, he can cause problems to the best of batsman. As far as improvements go, he needs to add variety to his bowling. But he is certainly a good prospect for future of Sri Lankan cricket,” said Akram.
Now well known commentator, Akram is well known for helping fast bowlers whenever he can. On his brief trip to Sri Lanka this was no exception.

Akram came down on the invitation of the Ceylinco Diabetic Centre to participate in a walk that will be held today. Nevertheless he found time to chat with Sri Lankan seamer Dilhara Fernando. “He is a very good bowler and his slower ball that can deceive most batsmen in the world today. He seems to have lost his confidence because of his no ball problem. I told him that it is all in his mind. He has just got to get himself together and keep bowling. The best of bowlers have had no problems, it just something the mind has to overcome,” said Akram.

Akram was full of praise for the Lankan fielding. “Players like Dilshan and Mahela lead from the front. As I said before it is the batting that needs to improve. Once that problem is sorted out, I feel that the Sri Lankans can compete with the best in the world,’ said Akram in conclusion. - HJ

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