Wasim Akram believes IPL a big test for all players– Cricket News Update
Finally, the much-awaited cricketing event, the Indian Premier League (IPL), has commenced, featuring a host of well-known domestic, national and international players who will be taking part in a two-month long tournament.
In this year’s edition, 72 matches will be played in the initial stage amongst 9 teams. The top Four teams will qualify for next the round, out of which two teams will make their way to the final, to be played on Sunday, May 27.
Pakistan's former fast bowler, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292, who is also the bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders, believes that the event offers a big challenge for all the participants. Akram added that although there was no pressure of national pride, the players will
be keen on performing well for their respective franchises.
“The transition from Tests or ODIs to the T20 format is more of a mental test and I feel top quality players know how to change gears,” said the 45-year-old former pacer.
According to the left-armer, IPL provides a good opportunity for young talent to come forward and impress the selectors; however, he admitted that experience will be prove key in the latter stages of the competition.
He further added that despite the presence of some promising emerging players, all eyes will be focused on the most expensive buys of the competition, and how they manage to deal with the high expectations of fans and critics.
The former pacer calls fitness a key factor in the tournament which can affect the outcome of any match. Despite admitting that big names dont mean much in the shortest format, he expects to see the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BB-McCullum-c1129 play pivotal
roles in their side's success, much in the manner Caribbean dynamite, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CH-Gayle-c1221 did in the last season for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820 Indians are the most likely outfits to occupy the top four positions.
The event has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2008 and much will be expected from the fifth edition, which began with a glittering opening ceremony, featuring some of the renowned Bollywood and international celebrities.
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