Twenty20 format may replace ODIs: Akram

8220;Twenty20 cricket already has the potential to replace the ODIs as the most populist version of the sport,8221; Akram said on Friday.

8220;The Twenty20 World Cup has been a big success in terms of the interest it has evoked and people coming in to the grounds. You didn8217;t get such big crowds and excitement even in the World Cup in West Indies.8221;

The left arm pace bowler said he enjoyed watching the Twenty20 matches.

8220;For a cricket lover it is the ideal format. The match finishes in around three and half hours and there is plenty of excitement and tension for the spectators and viewers,8221; he said.

8220;To me one-dayers have tended to become boring and predictable.8221;

However, he did not think the format could be seen as a challenge to Test cricket.

8220;Test cricket will always remain the 8216;real cricket8217; for the players and purist fans around the globe. It can never be replaced. Even the advent of one-day internationals didn8217;t affect its popularity and following.8221;