Akram confused

Chris DHAMBARAGE reporting from Pakistan

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said that he was confused with the flat track prepared for the opening test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan which ended in a high scoring draw at the National Stadium in Karachi.

There were four 150-plus scores - including a triple-century and a double-ton in this math which was in fact Pakistan's first home Test in 16 months. Akram said that sparse crowds for five-day games in the country would only improve if the wickets were more bowler-friendly.

"It's a mystery to me why after 14 months of not playing Test cricket such type of a wicket was made," Akram said. "We don't have to play the blame game but have to look what type of wicket should be prepared for the next Test."

The Pakistan captain Younis Khan and their coach Intikhab Alam had also expressed their disappointment about the pitch and Akram felt the home captain should be consulted in preparing the wickets. "I think the captain's involvement should be there in the preparation of the wicket. When I was the captain, Imran Khan was the captain, Javed Miandad, Inzamam ul-Haq we made sure what type of wicket we should have and we got that.

So I think there was some communication problem there. But I hope not such type of wicket is made in future. We want teams to come to Pakistan and people of Pakistan should support their team but with such type of wickets it gets a bit difficult."

Karachi, Thursday