Akram’s request
Karachi: Former Pakistan captain and pace legend Wasim Akram has requested the Indian cricket board (BCCI) to allow Pakistani players to participate in the cash-rich Indian Premier league. Akram said Pakistani players would only help add colour to the Twenty20 tournament. “I have always been a great believer that sports and politics should be kept apart and if our players take part in the IPl it will only raise the bar of the event,” Akram said, who was the bowling consultant of current IPl champions Kolkata Knight Riders. Pakistani cricketers have not been allowed to take part in the lucrative IPl after the first edition due to varied reasons but mainly because of the diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Although Pakistani umpires, commentators and coaches will feature in the ongoing sixth edition of the IPl but no cricketer has been invited for the event. Akram felt since Pakistani bowlers are better than India’s, it will only benefit the IPl.
Sunrisers to focus on batting: Srikkanth
Hyderabad: Sunrisers Hyderabad team mentor Krishnamachari Srikkanth today expressed happiness over his side putting up a united show in their opening match win over Pune Warriors in the Pepsi IPl but said that they would have to improve upon their batting. “We could have got 15, 20 more runs (in the match against Pune Warriors on Friday), batting will be a big focus for us. Anything above 150-155 will be a good total on the wicket condition we have,” Srikkanth told reporters ahead of their match against Royal Challengers Bangalore here on Sunday. He showered praise on the players for their team spirit and the strong desire to win. “We are happy that we won the first game. I always felt that the first match is very crucial. The boys did an excellent job, 126 was not a very big total. The way the boys came together was good, cricket is team game,” he said. “Everybody contributed their bit. Dayle Steyn and Amit Mishra were excellent,” he added.