KARACHI, April 24: Emphasising the significance of utilising former star players in all departments of the game, Pakistan’s bowling coach Mohammad Akram on Wednesday said the presence of legendary Wasim Akram at the ongoing fast bowlers’ camp would help the young speed merchants in improving their skills.

“The services of [prominent] former cricketers to train present-day youngsters are being used in many countries. Therefore, Pakistan should also do the same by employing its own ex-cricketers in all departments to groom emerging talent,” Akram said while talking to Dawn here at the National Stadium.

Akram, accompanied by former captain and fast bowling icon Wasim, is looking after the fast bowlers’ camp, featuring around 20 promising pace bowlers chosen from across the country under the Ufone-PCB King of Speed programme as well as national team pacers.

And he also welcomed the King of Speed programme.

“This effort is commendable. PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf has played a major role in initiating this programme. If we succeed in raising [at least] three fast bowlers for the future from this camp, I think it will be an achievement.

“However, I believe more programmes like this should be arranged regularly to properly secure and improve Pakistan cricket future,” the former Test fast bowler insisted.

Akram acknowledged the impact Wasim’s presence will have on the young pace aspirants as he pinpointed the benefit the bowlers will get through this camp.

“These youngsters can gain a lot from a superstar like Wasim. Furthermore, this camp, set up specifically for fast bowlers, gives Wasim and me the opportunity to give individual attention to each and every bowler,” Akram remarked, “which makes it much easier [for Wasim and me] to swiftly and precisely diagnose the shortcomings a pacer may have.”

On being asked to identify a few young fast bowlers at the camp whom he believed had the potential to play at the highest level, the national bowling coach said that developing the capability to represent Pakistan would take time.

He believes these youngsters also require to raise their physical fitness level.

Answering a question, Akram underscored that the camp would also prove helpful to Junaid Khan and Mohammad Irfan, pacers of the current national team.

“Although Junaid and Irfan have produced some worthwhile performances in international cricket of late, both of them stillhave a long road to cover to become top-class bowlers. And this camp will certainly help them in this regard.”

Commenting on his pacers’ show on the recently concluded tour to South Africa, Akram blamed inexperience and lack of fitness as the prime reasons for their failure in South Africa where Pakistan lost the three-Test series 0-3 and the five-match ODI rubber2-3.

However he sounded upbeat about Pakistan’s chances in the ICC Champions Trophy to be staged in England.

“If we play without complacency we have fair chances of doing well in England.”

Meanwhile, Junaid who is seeking to excel in all three formats in international cricket said he had learned a lot under Wasim.

“As a fast bowler I came to know several things which I did not know before joining this camp. I feel lucky to be here with a player like Wasim helping us out,” Junaid, 23, said.

Answering a question, the left-arm rookie pacer, who has emerged as a sensational find after he ripped Indian batting line-up apart in the ODI series a few months ago, said he relied on pace as well as swing.

“I feel my current bowling speed is enough. Great bowlers like Wasim, Shaun Pollock, Glenn McGrath and Chaminda Vaas were not just out-and-out fast bowlers, they had extra swing and control too. Therefore, to achieve success I need to swing and control the ball more instead of trying to generate [extra] pace,” he said.

Speaking on the June 6-23 Champions Trophy, the vibrant-looking bowler said English playing conditions suited his bowling.

“I have represented Lancashire in county cricket which I think will also be helpful for me in the Champions Trophy.”

Another Pakistan paceman Wahab Riaz, meanwhile, vowed to lift his game for the contests ahead.

“No one is perfect but we can improve by applying ourselves more, and we are all doing the same here at this camp,” the left-armer said while speaking to reporters.

Wahab said head coach Dav Whatmore joining the camp on Wednesday would further boost the participating bowlers.