Imad Wasim, Amir plan to make use of CPL, MLC experience during T20 World Cup

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Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir have shared valuable insights on how Pakistan can leverage the conditions in the USA and West Indies during the T20 World Cup.

Imad, who has taken 61 wickets in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at an economy rate of 6.20 runs per over, has only Sunil Narine ahead of him among spinners in terms of wickets taken at a better economy.

Amir, on the other hand, has claimed 43 wickets over three CPL seasons at an economy rate of 6.5 runs per over, the best among fast bowlers who have bowled at least 40 overs.

Imad emphasized the tactical use of wind in the West Indies, explaining that the island conditions can be quite windy, which bowlers can exploit if they are skilled enough.

"The main thing I've learned is how to utilise the wind there," Imad told ESPN Cricinfo. "Because they're islands, they can be windy, and you can use it if you're skilful enough. You try to restrict runs from the windy end and it's the opposite when you bat. That's a tactical battle going on inside each ground."

Amir, with experience playing for Barbados Royals and Jamaica Tallawahs, highlighted the consistent early swing in both day and night games. He also mentioned that dew later in night games, especially in Barbados, could make chasing higher scores easier.

Imad's strategy focuses on adapting to the demands of the wicket rather than the batter.

"I don't notice the batter," Imad says, "but [focus on] what the wicket demands of me. Does it require me to bowl the slower ball, quicker ball, or just the arm ball? If I have 24 balls, I try to bowl 20 that use the conditions. In Pindi the wicket is flat, and you do something different, like go for wide yorkers. But the CPL won't have Pindi- or Lahore-style wickets; sometimes even 120 is a winning score."

Pakistan's first four T20 World Cup games will be held in the United States, and Imad's experience in Major League Cricket (MLC) in Dallas and Fort Lauderdale, Miami, is expected to be beneficial.

"I played in Major League Cricket last year in Dallas and Fort Lauderdale, Miami, so I know those wickets very well, and wind is a huge factor in Dallas and Miami too. They are similar conditions to the CPL, but better for batting because the ball comes on to the bat. I think New York and Dallas will have high-scoring games,” Imad added.

Imad humorously noted that if the New York wicket behaves like Adelaide, Pakistan might need "seven fast bowlers," but he also emphasized the strategic importance of spin bowlers.

"Spinners are necessary from a tactical point of view, because if the batter is set on one pace, spin breaks his rhythm. For this reason, one or two spin options are handy," he concluded.