Powerplay innovation rekindling interest in ODIs: Akram

M R Mishra

New Delhi, Nov 19 (PTI) Twenty20 cricket may be high on
popularity charts but the ICC's new experiment of allowing
batting teams choose when to take the powerplay has rekindled
interest in one-dayers as well, according to former Pakistan
captain Wasim Akram.

Akram said the game's governing body will have to keep
innovating to keep the fans' interest alive in Test and One
Day International cricket at a time when T20 seems to have
captured the imagination of the younger generation.

"The ICC's rule change regarding powerplays has brought
interest back in ODIs. It has made the game a lot more
interesting and allowed the batting team to plan out the
innings", Akram told PTI in a telephonic interview

"The packed stadiums in the first two one-dayers in the
series between India and England shows that there is interest
for ODIs. The ICC has to find ways to keep the interest
alive", he said.

The pace legend said T20 became an instant hit because
people have less time these days. "It is a very good package.
You get all the action in three hours, so it is bound to
appeal to the spectators".

Akram, one of the finest left-arm seamers the world has
seen with 414 Test and 502 ODI wickets to his credit, said the
absence of crowds in Test matches is worrying but it is still
too early to say that the longer format of the game was dying.

"Test cricket is the ultimate. It is the real test for
the players. I think the interest for Test cricket will remain
because everybody realises its importance", he observed.

Asked whether the priorities of the players were also
changing with the advent of the cash-rich T20 leagues, Akram
said playing for the country had always remained the priority
for the players.

"I don't think that the priorities have changed as
playing for the country has always been the most important
thing for the players. T20 leagues have brought in more money
for the players which is a good thing", he said.

"The success of Indian Premier League has changed the
scenario quite a bit. Cricket-playing countries will have to
put in more money now. That's good for the game and also for
the players", the cricketer-turned-commentator said.

Akram has no doubt that the upcoming Champions League
T20, to be held at three Indian venues from December 3 to 10,
will be a bigger success than the inaugural edition of the
Indian Premier League.

"I think it will be a resounding success. Teams from
different countries will be taking part and the standard of
cricket will be very high".

"Some of the teams like Sialkot Stallions and WA
Warriors apart from Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Superkings
are very strong. So the competition will be very tough and all
the players will try to excel", he said.

Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore are the three venues for
the inaugural edition of Champions League which will see the
two top T20 teams of India, South Africa, Australia and
Pakistan vie for honours in the week-long league. PTI MRM
RKM