County stint will do Ganguly good, says Akram

Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has asked Saurav Ganguly to give off his best, enjoy the game and return as a tough professional after his county engagement with Lancashire in the coming English summer.

Commenting on Ganguly's decision to play for Lancashire, Akram in the course of an interview to an Indian newspaper, said he preferred top players having a stint in county cricket for bettering their game. The Pakistan captain, who quit Lancashire in 1998 after a ten year association, said that Ganguly had chosen the right county.

Touching upon the burn out factor by playing county cricket, the Pakistan allrounder said Ganguly is at the right age to play county cricket but added that he would have to work hard as the county would utilise him both as a batsman and bowler.

Ganguly replaces Sri Lankan off spinner Muthiah Muralitharan and is committed to play for Lancashire for two seasons. Former Australian captain Bobby Simpson, who will coach Lancashire this season, is understood to have made a strong case for Ganguly.