June 07, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 02, 1429

MUMBAI, June 6: Pakistan’s pace bowling icon Wasim Akram has refused to give too much importance to Twenty20 format of cricket.

Wasim believes Test cricket is the true test of a player’s ability, while Twenty20 is just an entertainment for the masses.

“In Twenty20, even an average cricketer can look good, because there is no technique involved. The batsmen just go out and try to hit every ball. The same goes for bowlers,” Wasim, one of the greatest left-arm pace bowlers in history, said.

“You learn to bowl slower balls, bowl a couple of length balls with a new ball, and a yorker or slow balls. A player’s real skills can only be known in five-day matches,” Wasim said after the announcement of Asian Cricket Awards here.

Wasim felt the advent of Twenty20 has signalled the death knell for bowlers. I think in Twenty20 the bowlers are paid to get hammered.

“The youngsters should realise that the IPL is just entertainment. Everybody is enjoying it and having fun, but it is important to concentrate on the longer version of the game because that is where your skill lies,” said Wasim, who boasts of a combined tally of 916 wickets in international cricket.

Sri Lanka’s dashing all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya, who was also present, however, had nothing to complain about Twenty20, after his exploits in the just-concluded Indian Premier League.

“The IPL was a good concept. It was good play with players from around the world playing in one team,” left-hander added.—Agencies