Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 27 (IANS) Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels India should replace rusty off-spinner Harbhajan Singh with leggie Amit Mishra in the second Test against England starting Friday at Trent Bridge.

Harbhajan has been struggling with form and returned with just one wicket from 56 overs in the first Test at Lord’s.

“Harbhajan looked off-colour at Lord’s. He got very little spin; his line was also very bad. On the other hand, Graeme Swann bowled beautifully. He showed a lot of variation,” Akram was quoted as saying by Mobile ESPN.

The legendary fast bowler said England batsmen have been poor against leg-spinners and Mishra should be included in the team.

“I think it’s about time that Mishra came in. English batsmen have traditionally been poor against leg-spinners. Besides, Mishra is a very intelligent bowler. I saw him bowling in the IPL and he impressed me a lot. Mishra should play in the next match,” said Akram.

Akram also wants Zaheer Khan to be dropped for the second Test against England. Zaheer pulled up a hamstring after bowling just 13.3 overs in the first Test and his absence proved crucial in India’s massive 196-run defeat.

“I do not think Zaheer should play at Trent Bridge if he is not fully fit. India missed him dearly in the Lord’s Test. There is no point in going in with an unfit player. There is a warm-up coming up against Northants after the second Test and he should eye that. If he bowls without any pain, he should return to the eleven for the third Test,” he said.

Akram said Sreesanth should be preferred over Munaf Patel, keeping in mind the swinging conditions at Trent Bridge.

“Both bowlers are good. Munaf gets a lot of nip and bounce because he is tall and he is also very accurate. Sreesanth, on the other hand, swings the ball a great deal but everyone knows that at times he can be wayward. But I would still go for Sreesanth because he is aggressive and can make the most of the swinging conditions,” Akram said.