MUMBAI: Sports broadcaster ESPN-Star Sports (ESS) is putting the celebrated Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram on its 'Few Good Men' commentary team as an exclusive presenter and commentator for its cricket related programming.
Akram is slated to sign on the dotted line on 20 October in Delhi after which will join the ESS 'Few Good Men' commentary team during the England-Bangladesh series starting Tuesday, October 21, 2003.
ESS had signed another top cricketer Sourav Ganguly on 15 September to co-host the 'Samsung Cricket Show' making Ganguly the first playing captain ever to co-host a TV show.
"We are extremely delighted to announce that Akram would shortly be joining our 'Few Good Men', affirmed ESPN Software India managing director RC Venkateish.
ESS' 'Few Good Men' has so far drawn on the experience of two of the greats that have wielded the willow in the gentlemen's game - Sunil Gavaskar and Sir Geoffery Boycott. Akram's understanding of modern day cricket issues is expected to add to that by offering a bowler's perspective to the viewers.
Akram made his debut in 1984-85. In a career that has spanned nearly 20 years, he played 104 tests, claiming 414 wickets and scoring 2898 runs with a highest score of 257. He is today the highest wicket taker in ODIs with 502 victims to his credit, at an average of 23.5, in 356 matches.
He has bowled to every single top rated batsman currently playing the game, which places him uniquely vis-?-vis, all the commentators in the world. In addition, his understanding of the conditions in the Indian subcontinent and international experience will make for exciting analysis. "Akram has a huge fan following in the subcontinent as well as across the globe. We are delighted to have him on board," Venkateish further added.
Incisive analysis from the 'Few Good Men' will mark India's away tour of Australia beginning December 2003 and ending February 2004 - the tour is being touted as the most important series in the near future.
ESS will also be relaying a live broadcast of the West Indies tour of Zimbabwe in October 2003, the Pakistan tour of New Zealand in December 2003, the West Indies tour of South Africa from December 2003 to February 2004, the Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe in January 2004 and the South Africa tour of New Zealand in February 2004.