Nairobi, October 10: Contrary to the repeated predictions of his captainMoin Khan of a final between Pakistan and South Africa, the charismatic fastbowler Wasim Akram is looking forward to an India-Pakistan final in the ICCknock-out cricket tournament here.``It would be great if India and Pakistan meet in the final,'' Akram said onTuesday. ``In any case, it will be good if one of the sub-continental teamswins the trophy here.''Akram sought to clear any misunderstandings in the Indian camp by hisreported statement of India being afraid of playing Pakistan.Akram was reported as saying Indians were afraid of losing to Pakistan andoffering this as the actual reason of their not touring Pakistan.India had called off its scheduled Pakistan tour later this year after thegovernment refused sanction citing Pakistan's support to cross-borderterrorism in Kashmir.``I never said India is afraid to play Pakistan. How could I make such aremark? I only said it is the (Indian) board and (Indian) government whichstop the team from travelling to Pakistan,'' Akram clarified.``In Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, I have three verygood friends in the Indian team. I would hate to spoil my relationship withthem.``Indeed, I sought out Ganguly during the official function last Friday andcleared up any misunderstanding the misquoted remark might have caused,''the former Pakistan captain said.Ganguly later confirmed Akram had met him and cleared up the matter. Akramsaid he had watched India's match with Australia very closely and foundtremendous potential in newcomer Zaheer Khan. ``He is a very interestingprospect,'' he said. ``However, there are a few things he should be carefulabout, things like his approach to the wicket and body postion at the pointof delivery,'' the ace fast-bowler said, adding he would not mind giving theyoungster the necessary tips in this regard.Zaheer Khan, who made his debut in India's opening match against Kenya lastTuesday, has impressed with his bowling and has already picked up fivewickets in two matches.About his own team, Akram felt it was one of the best Pakistani sides inrecent times.``It is a tremendous side and has the right balance of youth andexperience.''Akram cited Pakistan's surprisingly easy win against Sri Lanka on Sunday asa proof of the team's strength especially because the islanders were strongfavourites having beaten Pakistan five Times in a row going into thematch.Having led the Pakistani attack for well over a decade now, Akram, who hastaken 407 wickets in 98 Tests and 430 in 307 One-Day internationals, feelsits still not time for him to call it quits.He said his mind was firmly set on chasing West Indian great CourtneyWalsh's World record of 483 Test wickets and become the world's highestwicket-taker in both forms of the game.``I am not giving up on Walsh. Not yet,'' Akram said.
