Pakistani Legend Wasim Akram wants cricket administrators to scrap ODI cricket

Former Pakistani cricketer and World cup winner Wasim Akram wants ODI cricket to take a seat back from the international calendar. Akram, who himself played a big part in Pakistan’s 50-over World Cup glory back in 1992, thinks that the end is very near for ODI cricket.

Speaking in the Telegraph's Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club podcast, Akram believes that public interest is at an all-time low for ODI cricket. 

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One Day Cricket is kind of dying, says Akram

When asked if cricket boards should scrap ODI cricket, Akram said: "I think so. 

“In England, you have full houses. In India, Pakistan especially, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and South Africa, one-day cricket you are not going to fill the stadiums.

"They are doing it just for the sake of doing it. 

“After the first ten overs, it’s just ‘OK, just go run a ball, get a boundary, four fielders in, and you get to 200, 220 in 40 overs’ and then have a go in the last ten overs. Another 100. It’s kind of run-of-the-mill."

Akram backs Stokes’ decision 

The 56-year-old further gave his views on Ben Stokes retiring from the 50-over format at the age of just 31. Akram was quite sad after seeing a competitor like Stokes decide to give up the ODI format as the all-rounder stated it is becoming  "unsustainable" for him to play all three formats.

"Stokes deciding that he is retiring from one-day cricket is quite sad, but I agree with him. Even as a commentator. One-day cricket is just a drag now, especially after T20. I can imagine (myself) as a player. 50 overs, 50 overs, then you have to pre-game, post-game, the lunch game," Akram added.

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The next Future Tours Programme (FTP) from ICC is going to have at least one major global event every year. In addition, there are a number of franchise leagues around the world, which are already taking a toll on the players. In such a situation, the addition of ODI cricket in the calendar will make things even harder for the players.

Akram concluded with the idea that T20I cricket should take the front seat in coming years.

"T20 is kind of easier, four hours the game is over. The leagues all around the world, there is a lot more money - I suppose this is part and parcel of modern cricket. T20 or Test cricket. One-day cricket is kind of dying," he maintained.