JEDDAH, Dec 6: One-day cricket has given new life to the game. It has not only attracted more spectators but also contributed to making Test matches interesting, said Saeed Anwar, the former Pakistan captain.

As players have become used to making quick runs in One-day Internationals (ODIs), more Test matches are now producing results instead of ending in dreary draws, he told reporters here on Saturday at a reception organized by Jeddah Cricket League (JCL).

Saeed welcomed Indian team’s first tour of Pakistan since 1989 in March-April next year. “Indo-Pak matches will improve standard of game in both countries. They will also promote good-neighbourly relations between the two countries.

“Pakistan and India should play each other on a regular basis. If they play once in four years there may be tension between the two sides. But if they play more tensions will vanish”.

Saeed, who represented Pakistan for 14 years from 1989 to 2003, considers Imran Khan, Salim Malik and Wasim Akram among best captains Pakistan has had. He recalled Ian Chappell, one of the great Australian captains, as saying that in the success of a captain 99 percent is his luck and 1 percent is his ability.

He feels Australian team is best in the world at the moment in both Tests and ODIs. Australia have got so much talent that they can select two more international teams from among their players.

He said teams should have more lefties if they want to have winning combinations. There should be more left-handers in teams. Sri Lanka won the World Cup with their left-handers. Australia has many talented left-handers and the West Indies were once on top of the world with their left-handers.

Saeed, himself a left-hander, said bowlers find it difficult to bowl against them. Very few bowlers can bowl well to left-handers.

He regretted lack of facilities, which could help promote domestic cricket in Pakistan.

He said present crop of players is doing well for Pakistan. The captain should be initially appointed for one season and then given a long-term tenure depending on his consistency and performance.

He favoured formation of a players association in Pakistan on pattern of a similar body in Australia. It should consist of existing and retired players. It can guide youngsters and talk to cricket board on improving standard of the game in the country.

A holder of world-record innings of 194 in One-day Internationals, which he made against India at Chennai in 1997, he scored a total of 18 centuries in ODIs and 15 more in Tests.

He considers Courtney Walsh and Curtley Ambrose of West Indies and Glenn McGrath of Australia as leading fast bowlers he had faced. Among spin bowlers he rates Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka and Shane Warne of Australia as the best.

Saeed places Matthew Hayden of Australia ahead of Sachin Tendulkar of India and Brian Lara of West Indies.—PPI