Akram backs Australia for the World Cup

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has tipped Australia as favourite for the cricket World Cup but says he would not be surprised if Sri Lanka gatecrashes into the party and runs away with the silverware.

"It is impossible to predict who will win the World Cup. Certainly Austalia appears to be the favourite on paper. But Sri Lanka, as a team, has impressed me the most and I would pick them as the dark horses of the World Cup. They have the capability to surprise anyone," Akram said.

The former left-arm fast bowler, who featured in Pakistan's 1992 World Cup winning team and also captained them to the final in 1999, said Sri Lanka had a very strong batting line-up and a balanced bowling attack.

"Plus their fielding is of excellent standard. They are a very, very good team," said Akram who finished with 502 one-day and 414 Test wickets in an illustrious career.

Akram, who appeared in five World Cups, said that he had no idea how the Pakistan team would perform but he felt the team lacked a specialist opening pair.

"Having a specialist opening pair is very important in any form of cricket. If I had to do it this time, I would take a chance and open with Kamran Akmal and give him a long run in the tournament."

Akram, meanwhile, took a dig at his former new ball colleague Waqar Younis and said Pakistan fared badly in the 2003 World Cup because Waqar, who didn't merit a place in the one-day side, was leading the team.

"We lost because there was no place for the captain in the side. Again this time also, I feel Inzamam-ul-Haq has to bat at number four and play a lead role in inspiring the team on the field", he said.