IPL 2014: KKR bowling coach Wasim Akram confident of his team making it to playoffs

Legendary Pakistan fast bowler and Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach Wasim Akram, expressing faith in his team, feels that the Kolkata-based franchise will make it to the final four of IPL 7, as he believes that they have a ‘good enough’ bowling attack.

“We just went for the players we thought are team players and obviously individual match winners: Yusuf Pathan, Shakib Al Hasan, Robin Uthappa, Andre Russell. All these guys are team people and a team sport needs players who support each other when things are bad,” Akram said in an interview.

When asked about KKR’s prospects of making it to the playoffs, he said, “I would love to. Yes I can see KKR. I would like to see KKR in the finals. We have good enough team, we have good enough bowling, fielding has been consistent. So, yes, there is always a chance.”

On being asked about KKR’s performance so far in this season, the 47-year-old said, “There will be a rough time. You’ll lose a couple of games on the trot, which will happen, it’s a long tournament. But it was decision made by the management; we want boys who could actually be good team players apart from being individual match winners.”

Akram, referred to as the ‘King of Swing’ during his playing days, has played a significant role for the KKR team in the last 3 seasons. He considers discussing strategies with the captain and giving confidence to the batsmen as his primary roles with the team.

Speaking about himself, he went on to add, “With my experience in cricket, I have played like 21 years internationally. I have ideas to give to them and they are enjoying. Its early dose in this tournament but everybody seems to be enjoying each others company. That’s always a good sign before a big tournament.”