Pakistan speed bowling legend Wasim Akram feels ODI cricket has become “terrible” and wants the game’s administrators to remove the format for good. Akram’s comments come after England all-around player Ben Stokes abruptly withdrew from the ODIs, which has sparked a serious debate over the existence of more than 50-year-old cricket.
“I think so (ODIs should be eliminated). In the UK you have houses full. In India, Pakistan, especially Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, one day of cricket you won’t fill the stadiums” , he said on Vaughany and the Tuffers Cricket Club Podcast.
“They’re doing it just for the sake of it. After the first 10 passes, just ‘OK, just run a ball, get the touchline, four players in and you’re 200, 220 in 40. pass” and then go for the last 10. 100 more times. It’s a race. Akram supports Stokes’ decision to abandon ODI, citing “unsustainable” workloads.
“His (Stokes) decision that he’s going to take a day off from cricket is pretty sad but I agree with him,” said the left-armer, who beat 502 wickets in 356 ODIs in his career. himself, alongside Pakistani bowling to win the 1992 Cricket World Cup Final.
“Even as a commentator… one-day cricket is just a drag now, especially after T20. I can imagine as a player. 50 rounds, 50 times , then you have to play before, after game, lunch game,” added cricket-turn-turn commentator.
Akram said the 50+ game has no future ahead of the ever-evolving T20 format.
“T20 is easier, 4 hours until the game is over. Tournaments all over the world, more money – I suppose this is part and parcel of modern cricket. T20 or experimental cricket. One-day cricket is kind of dying.
“One-day cricketers are pretty exhausting. After T20, one-day cricket seems to last for days. So players are focusing on the shorter format. And the longer format is obviously (with) Test cricket,” he said.
For Akram, Test cricket is still the pinnacle of the game for players.
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“There is a battle within a battle in Test cricket. I always prefer Test matches. A day is usually fun but Test matches are where you are recognized as a player… where people still choose you for the tournament. XI world,” he said.
“OK, money is important – I understand where they’re coming from – but they should also remember if they want to be recognized as one of the greats of the game.” Akram also urged the game’s administrators to consider a total overhaul of the overall schedule.
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