April 03, 2007	Tuesday

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PROVIDENCE, April 2: Pakistan bowling great Wasim Akram on Sunday hailed Australian paceman Glenn McGrath's feat of breaking his World Cup record of most wickets, saying he wanted to congratulate his all-time favourite.

“I just want to pass on my best wishes and say 'mate you deserve all the records that cricket offers.' I am relieved that a bowler of McGrath's calibre has broken my record,” Wasim said by telephone from Singapore.

McGrath overhauled Wasim's World Cup record of 55 during his three for 16 in world champions Australia's 10-wicket thrashing of Bangladesh at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday.

Wasim, who now works as commentator for the ESPN-Star channel, still holds the record of most wickets in one-day cricket history with 502, a tally McGrath will not pass as he will retire after the World Cup.

The 37-year-old McGrath, who retired from Test cricket early this year with 563 wickets, has 367 one-day victims in 244 matches.

Wasim said McGrath is an all-time great bowler.

“I consider McGrath and (former West Indies star) Malcolm Marshall as two all-time greats and I think they were a cut above the rest. McGrath is the complete bowler - physically and mentally.

“He has the cunning for all batsmen and the way he executes his plans is great. You become his fan once you see him bowl and I have had the privilege of playing alongside this great man.”

Wasim said players like McGrath make the Australian side world beaters.

“Australia look miles ahead of the other teams simply because they have players of McGrath's calibre and, as far as I'm concerned, it will take a huge effort from other teams to stop them from running away with their third World Cup title in a row.”

Wasim, who led Pakistan to the runners-up spot when Australia won the 1999 World Cup, said Sri Lanka and South Africa must produce their best to stop Australia.

“If not Australia then it's Sri Lanka for me. I have been backing them since the start and the South Africans are also looking good.”

Wasim, who retired after Pakistan's first round exit from the 2003 tournament, said Pakistan and India had both disappointed him in the current World Cup.

“Pakistan and India played badly and that led to their own downfall. They both need to lift themselves and they have the talent to do that,” said Wasim.

The South Asian giants both made first round exits in the Caribbean.

Pakistan lost to the West Indies and Ireland in Group D, while India were upset by Bangladesh and Sri —AFP

Leading wicket-takers in World Cup

Bowlers M Wkts Best

G.D. McGrath (Australia) 33 57 7-15

Wasim Akram (Pakistan) 38 55 5-28

J. Srinath (India) 34 44 4-30

W.P.U.J.C. Vaas (Sri Lanka) 26 43 6-25

M. Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) 26 41 4-28

A.A. Donald (South Africa) 25 38 4-17

Imran Khan (Pakistan) 28 34 4-37

S.K. Warne (Australia) 17 32 4-29

C.Z. Harris (New Zealand) 28 32 4-7

A. Kumble (India) 18 31 4-32