By IANS,
New Delhi: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels that West Indies selectors have gifted India the advantage by not picking the maverick Chris Gayle for the three-match Test series starting Monday.
Akram said that Gayle will not stand to lose if he misses the Test series against India, but it will be a big loss for West Indies cricket.
“Only performances should not matter but discipline is also very important. But with all the lucrative T20 tournaments around the world like IPL (Indian Premier League), Gayle doesn’t stand to lose much if he never plays for the Windies again,” Akram was quoted as saying by Mobile ESPN.
“We all saw what a dynamic player he is while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore during IPL 4. He can change the course of a game in a few overs. Thus I feel, West Indies cricket stands to lose by not picking Gayle, instead of it being vice-versa,” he said.
Akram is relieved that all drama in Pakistan cricket was over.
“I am glad all the differences were sorted out between the board and (Shahid) Afridi. It is time to move on from this.”
Akram feels Pakistan still needs Afridi since he has been their best bowler in recent times.
“I hope that he plays for Pakistan again. Afridi is still our best bowler. I also believe he is a good enough cricketer to be there in any side in the world in the limited-overs format,” said Akram.