Yusuf is still our trump card: Akram

Yusuf Pathan may not have set this edition of the IPL ablaze with his powerful batting just yet but Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowling consultant Wasim Akram feels the swashbuckling all-rounder is still the team’s “trump card” and one of the biggest hitters in cricket’s shortest format. After making an impression in IPl for Rajasthan Royals in the first three seasons, Yusuf was taken by KKR in 2011 for $2.1 million. The Baroda-born player may not have fired in this season so far, but he played the sheet anchor’s role to perfection with his 28 not out in the 95-run partnership with Andre Russell (66) in the team’s four-wicket win against Kings XI Punjab, and Akram backs the big-hitter to come to the party and get big runs soon. 

“Yusuf is only 32, he is still our trump card. He is still one of the biggest hitters in this format. He is enjoying his confidence. It is really handy to have a player like Yusuf Pathan. He can bowl, he can bat and he can field as well,” Akram said. The former seamer is also impressed with off-spinner Sunil Narine’s remodelled action after the mystery bowler’s doosra was questioned in the CL T20 event last year. “I am very impressed with Sunil Narine. Even with his remodelled action his bite is the same. Of course, it takes a little while to adjust to your new action. I think let him play another two or three matches and he will only get better,” he said.