Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram today said Kolkata Knight Riders coach John Buchanan had shown that maverick speedster Shoaib Akhtar needed to be "handled more firmly and professionally" to get the best results out of him.

Akhtar was not played in two matches by Buchanan, who was not satisfied with the bowler's overall fitness, but when the bowler got a chance to play at the Eden Gardens yesterday, he exploded into action with four wickets to set up a win for his team in a low scoring game.

Akram also said he was vindicated in saying that Akhtar's performance was boosted by big crowds and centre stage.

"I had said Shoaib has the ability to perform in the IPL. He is the type of cricketer who is boosted by big crowds and centre stage. But the way Buchanan handled him also shows that he needs to be handled more firmly and professionally to get the best results out of him," Akram said.

Former captain Rashid Latif said that for a bowler with the pace and experience of Shoaib, Twenty20 cricket was the ideal brand of competition and he could become a big draw and performer in such professional leagues.

"I am happy for him because he has gone through a bad time in recent months and he needed a break," Latif said.

Source : PTI