Burnout is a new word for me: Akram

Point your mobile to: http://m.ibnlive.com

Mumbai: Wasim Akram is one of the greatest fast bowler and has been an inspiration to aspiring pacers from the subcontinent.

But he is a worried about the form and fitness of the fast bowlers from the subcontinent.

A diabetic himself, Akram was in Mumbai for a programme to create awareness about diabetes and spoke about the change in fortunes of the Indian team.

Akram was not happy by the Indian team management's decision to drop Irfan Pathan from the playing XI for the first Test.

"I have been through all this. Everybody goes through it. Even Kapil Dev and Imran Khan have been through all this. You must back your players. Kaptan ko kahna chahiye ki isko khelana hai (The skipper must say that he wants Pathan in the playing XI). He must tell the player that we are behind you. It does not matter if you get hammered but you must play. If he is not injured then to drop him is not right," Akram said.

He was also surprised by the decision to drop Ajit Agarkar from the team despite a good show in the ODIs.

"I am saying this as a captain. If my player has done well in the One-Dayers and he is in good form he must play. Some new player coming in when the morale of the team is down is not good. This strategy is not correct," he said.

On the recent hue and cry by some of the Indian players that too much cricket is leading to injuries and burnout, he said, "Hame to burnout ka matlab hi nahi malum tha. Ye to aajkal ek naya lafz aaya hai. (We didn't knew about burnout. This is a new word for me)."

"Maine county kheli hai 10 saal aur Pakistan ke liye bhi khela hai (I have played county cricket for 10 years and also represented Pakistan). I have heard about burnout only in the last three-four years. I think 12 Tests and 30-40 One-Dayers in a year is normal."

Akram will also be following the FIFA World Cup eagerly.

"I want England to win. I know their culture and have played there for 10 years. I don't want to support Brazil," he said.