IPL may prompt early retirements: Wasim

“But I still believe that the IPL and Indian Cricket League will create problems in international cricket. You will see players retiring prematurely from international cricket to play in these lucrative leagues,” Akram said.

Explaining the case, he said, “Suppose I am a 34-year-old bowler with an uncertain future in the national side. I would retire prematurely to play in IPL or ICL, rather than risk being dropped from the team,” he said.

Akram, however, supported payment of good money to players.

“All players in the IPL and ICL are professionals and they will go where they would get paid well. All cricket boards and the ICC should have thought about improving pay structure of the players 10 years ago.”

“If this had been done, such leagues could be held officially by the ICC itself,” he said.

Akram is also worried that Twenty20 might eat into the ODI pie and he advised ICC to make changes in one-day cricket to overcome the problem.

“I think the ICC and member boards need to think of changes to make the middle overs (in an one dayer) more interesting. People change channels during the 20-40 over period as the game slows down due to the batsmen scoring slowly and cementing the innings. It is the onslaught in the final 10 overs that interests viewers,” Akram noted.

He said maybe the rules could be changed to allow only two players out of the circle during the 20-35 over period.

“Cricket will improve. I am a fast bowler but I support batsmen because the viewers want action,” he said.