Sachin Tendulkar should bat at least 40 overs, says Wasim Akram

Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram feels that feels Sachin Tendulkar is the man for Team India as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 beckons.

“Sachin is key to India’s chances. The team has to rally around him to get a big score on board. Tendulkar likes batting for a long period of time. He should stay in the middle for a minimum of 40-45 overs,” Akram was quoted as saying by Mobile ESPN.

Akran feels if Tendulkar bats for long, India will get over 300 runs every time.

“With Sachin in the middle, it gives players like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh opportunity to play their natural game,” said Akram.

Akram also picked an out-of-form Yuvraj Singh as dangerous player.

“Yuvraj is a very dangerous player. His fielding has certainly improved and is looking a lot fitter after a spate of injuries. He comes from my part of the world – Punjab. We Punjabis are always ‘hot and cold’. I know his form is a bit cold right now but with his talent, he needs one good inning,” says Akram.

Akram feels that this is India’s best chance to capture the trophy one more time.

“India have really been playing good cricket. I was the first one to say that India are favourites to win the Cup and then everybody joined the chorus. They have the right combination, confidence and have defeated every good team in world cricket. According to me, they are the No.1 team in the world,” concluded the Sultan of Swing.