KARACHI, Dec 29: Former great Wasim Akram on Thursday advised Pakistan to prepare bouncy tracks in next month’s home series against India to unnerve visitors’ strong batting line up.

“The advantage of pitches is with Pakistan, they have a transformed Shoaib Akhtar who can rock the Indians on hard pitches,” the former Pakistan captain said.

“With his pace and accuracy Akhtar can target any Indian batsman, and more so Sourav Ganguly,” said Akram, who took 414 Tests wickets and a world record of 502 one-day scalps.

Akram said Pakistan would have to play positive cricket to avenge the home series defeat it suffered when India last toured Pakistan in 2004, their first since 1989-90.

India won the Test series 2-1 and the one-day series 3-2, their first wins on Pakistani soil since they started playing against their neighbours in 1952.

Pakistan, however, salvaged some pride by levelling a three-Test series 1-1 and beating India 4-2 in the one-day series earlier this year.

“Pakistan is better organised than a year ago and can avenge their 2004 home defeat, but for that they will have to play positive,” Akram said.

The 39-year-old Akram, regarded as the best left-arm paceman to play the game, said Pakistan were better organised under English coach Bob Woolmer than India under Australian Greg Chappell.

Akram praised Inzamamul Haq’s captaincy and said he had given confidence to the players.

“Now every player knows that his place is secure in the team, if he has the confidence of the captain who is also at his best form.

“Inzamam, Akhtar and leg-spinner Danish Kaneri are key to Pakistan’s success,” he said.—AFP