Shoaib Akhtar compares BCCI chief Ganguly to PM Imran Khan

• Shoaib Akhtar says that the mentality of Indian cricket transformed under Ganguly's leadership.
• The cricketer wants to see a revival of Test cricket under Ganguly stint at BCCI.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar applauded the Indian cricket board’s decision to appoint Sourav Ganguly as BCCI president, saying that the Indian ex-captain, who shared the leadership style with that of PM Imran Khan, could create a difference in world cricket.

“One person that transformed Indian cricket was Sourav Ganguly, never felt before 97-98 that India could beat Pakistan. I never felt India had the system to beat Pakistan until Sourav Ganguly became the captain. Sourav Ganguly changed the mentality of Indian cricket,” said Akhtar in a video.

Speaking about Ganguly’s captaincy style, Akhtar said that it was similar to that of Pakistan cricket legend turned Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“The common trait between him [Ganguly] and Imran Khan was that he used to believe in new talent and secondly he got an eye to pick the talent that would play for India. This was something that Imran Khan used to do, as the talent he picked used to win matches for Pakistan,” he said.

The speedster, who shared many memories with the Indian opening batsman, said that he wants to see Sourav Ganguly play a vital role in promoting international cricket especially Test cricket.

“Now being the chief of BCCI, I as a cricketer would wish to see that international cricket thrives in his tenure, because India has got the upper hand in ICC…. I expect to see Test cricket revived and I want to have some relaxations for fast bowlers,” he said.

The former Indian captain, who currently serves as president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), would be formally appointed on October 23.