June 04, 2006	Sunday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 7, 1427

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KARACHI, June 3: Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram backed England on Saturday to win the World Cup, saying he expected Sven-Goran Eriksson's men to triumph against the odds.

“Since Pakistan is not playing, I back England and by watching them play in recent months I feel they have the firepower to win the World Cup,” Wasim said.

Wasim, a self-confessed football fan, hoped the possible absence through a foot injury of England's star striker Wayne Rooney would not affect the team's performance.

“It's just like we lost Waqar Younis a few days before the 1992 cricket World Cup,” Wasim said.

“The likes of David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole are great players and form a great team. England's coach (Eriksson) is also a master tactician, so all in all they are a team to watch,” said Wasim, who turned 40 on Saturday.

Wasim said he would watch most of the World Cup in England.

“I would be in England from the second week of this month so I would watch most of the matches in Manchester and pray that England come up to everyone's expectations.”

Meanwhile, Trinidad & Tobago may have made it to finals of FIFA World Soccer Cup in Germany but two star cricket West Indians from Antigua, Sir Vivian Richards and Curtly Ambrose, will be rooting for Brazil.

“I like their natural flair of play. When I played I liked to dominate bowling, Brazil also look to dominate the opposition. I enjoy watching them,” said Sir Vivian Richards.

Fellow Antiguan Ambrose, who used to instill fear in batsmen every time he used run up to bowl, also dances to Samba tunes. “What I like about Brazil is that they entertain the most. They have some good players. Ronaldinho is a champion. He is still young and very willing to learn every single day on pitch that sets him apart from rest.”

However, for Brian Lara it has to be T&T and West Indies cricket captain is keeping his fingers crossed for Dwight Yorke's men. “I was very elated when T&T qualified for World Cup. My support is for Dwight Yorke and his team.”

Still, like most of football followers in the world, Lara also admits Brazil is special.

“There are few cricketing nations that are playing World Cup this time. T&T play England in their group while Australia faces Brazil.—Agencies