December 05, 2007	Wednesday	Ziqa'ad 24, 1428

KOLKATA, Dec 4: Pakistan’s fast bowling icon Wasim Akram has taken a swipe at India’s tactics of preparing slow wickets for the ongoing home series against Pakistan, ignoring the fact that the Indians are due to tour Australia shortly.

Wasim said had India opted for sporting pitches, they would have gained a lot ahead of the impeding four-Test series Down Under.

“In two weeks’ time India will be touring Australia and these kinds of slow tracks are being prepared for them. I just don’t understand what is happening,” Wasim wrote in his syndicated column for the Times of India on Tuesday.

“Indian captain [Anil Kumble] has to put his foot down and make sure that they are given sporting pitches. When I was the Pakistan captain, I always wanted sporting pitches at home.

“It’s okay if the West Indies come with their battery of pace bowlers because then you can rethink your strategy,” he lamented. “But this has not happened till now which shows a negative attitude on the part of Indian captain and the team management,’ he added.