Indian pacers don't know what to do with the old ball: Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar feels that Indian pacers do not know how to bowl with the old ball pointing out Zaheer Khan knew his job the best. The ‘Rawalpindi Express’, who now is working as a television commentator and cricket expert, thinks Indian bowlers should be made to spend at least ‘six weeks’ with Pakistan legends Wasim Akram and current Pakistan coach Waqar Younis if they want to polish their bowling.

According to media reports on Thursday, Akhtar said Indian pacers can’t reverse the ball and with new rules coming in, the balance has tilted towards the batsmen and in doing so, poses a stiff challenge to the pace bowler.

He felt that there is a lack of depth in the Indian bowling attack and they have failed to adapt to the changing conditions of cricket.

“As it is, so many new rules has tilted the balance against the bowlers and in the given space, it’s been a challenge for a pace bowler to constantly keep adapting. And if you’re not willing to learn very quickly and adapt, you’re going to be left behind.” Akhtar said

Expressing his praise for one of India’s premier fast bowlers Zaheer, Akhtar added that his Indian counterpart reached that stage and did a great job for India.

“Zaheer Khan had reached that stage when he was enjoying bowling with the new and the old ball and while he was around, he did a great job for India.“

The former Pakistan tearaway pacer also claims that Ravichandran Ashwin is the best off-spinner in the world cricket presently and also said that India are the team to beat this ICC World T20.