India in SL

Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram lauded the Indian team for making a comeback in Sri Lanka to go 2-1 up in the ODI series.

Speaking to Mobile ESPN, Akram said: "The team looked a little inexperienced. They had a new captain coming in for the ODI's and had lost the first ODI badly after the disaster in the Test series."

"But the young Indian team came back strongly, playing in front of a packed house with hardly any Indian support."

Akram heaped effusive praises on Indian skipper MS Dhoni for once again leading from the front.

"India are lucky to have a captain like Dhoni, who so often takes his team to victory. He looks like leading his team to wins in almost every second game."

The former sultan of swing picked out Suresh Raina for special praise after his wonderful 53.

"Raina played very well. Of course Dhoni came in after and played that wonderful knock too."

Akram, who was once famous for his toe crushers in the death overs said he did not think Rohit Sharma would be played in the third match.

"I did not expect Rohit to be in the playing XI on Sunday. But he scored a crucial 32 runs at an important stage."

Akram had expected it to be close game after India mustered 238 on the board: "I thought it would be a very keenly fought match but again, the way Zaheer Khan bowled was superb."

"He has hit a purple patch and is swinging the bal nicely, getting it to move away. Zaheer is also running in well."

The former Pakistan all rounder was happy with the way Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel have been shaping up for India.

"Praveen has been a big improvement. He is swinging the ball and the one with which he got rid of Sanath Jayasuirya was an absolute beauty."

"Munaf has impressed a lot as well. I did not like his body language when he first came to the international stage."

"But now he is bowling yorkers, generating some swing and is looking like he is part of the team. Earlier he looked more like a part time bowler."

The cricketer turned commentator said India played Ajantha Mendis very well.

"The Indian batsmen not only played Mendis aggressively but also pinched singles off him. India have shown that they are now an improved side on Sri Lankan soil."

"They certainly look like favourites to win the series. If they do, in my opinion, they will be at par with the Australians."

Meanwhile, Akram sounded disappointed with the postponment of the ICC Champions Trophym scheduled to be held in his homeland in September.

"The PCB will have to face some losses. Their chairman had no idea of what was happening, the selectors did not know whether to select a team."

"Pakistan cricket will suffer because of the postponment. Cricket in the country is already struggling and the postponment has put the last nail in the coffin."

"I think international teams would not want to tour Pakistan in the future."

The ICC in a decision on Sunday had postopned the Champions Trophy till OCtober 2009.