Akram urges selectors to back Ganguly

Wasim Akram has extended his support to the embattled Sourav Ganguly by urging the selectors to give him one more chance, and take care while deciding upon his future. Ganguly, currently in a batting funk, has been severely criticised by various former cricketers who have vociferously demanded he be sacked.

"There is no doubt that Sourav Ganguly is passing through the worst batting form which leaves his career in doldrums," Akram was quoted in the Press Trust of India. "I also fear that his career might be reaching a dead-end but I would still back him and advise the Indian selectors to be extremely careful and watchful while deciding his future.''

Ganguly managed to score only 48 runs in the recent Test series against Pakistan, and his poor form continued in the four one-day internationals as well, where he scored just 31 runs, before being banned for six matches for India's slow over-rate at Ahmedabad.

"Naturally, we didn't see the same aggressive and attacking Sourav we are used to watching," Akram continued. "To add insult to injury, India drew the Test series and then also lost the one-day series to Pakistan, that meant knives were out for him."

Akram further added that every batsmen goes through a lean patch and that Ganguly has been a major contributors to Indian cricket. "We have to realise that all the top batsmen pass through a period where the ball does not make any contact with the bat. It has happened to the best before and it will happen to the best in days to come. You see it is inevitable.

"Sourav has been a great servant of Indian cricket and his contributions to the Indian cricket team in the last five years cannot be denied. Everyone will have to see Sourav's career in 360 degrees before the judgement on his career is passed. And I tell you it is going to be one hell of a decision because Sourav is definitely one of the best Indian cricket has produced."

Akram also pointed out that India missed Ganguly's leadership skills in the one-day series against Pakistan. "Pakistan was a fitter and younger side. But India missed Sourav because he is a true leader who has matured nicely as a captain. When the chips are down, everyone looks at the captain to lift them and Sourav has that magic."