Abu Dhabi cricket ground not for fast bowlers: Akhtar

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar says the cricket ground in Abu Dhabi, where Pakistan and England are playing a Test match, does not suit fast bowlers.

"The ground is sandy, thick and hard and it is a nightmare for the fast bowlers to bowl there," Akhtar said.

He, although, felt that spinners can extract sharp turn and bounce if they are willing to push the ball through instead of giving it flight.

Akhtar, who is appearing on the newly launched PTV sports as an expert for the series, said the ongoing second Test was wide open after second day's play.

"It is in an intriguing stage Pakistan must not relax in the first session tomorrow and try to take the remaining five English wickets for as many less runs as possible. If England get a lead of even 60 to 70 runs it would become a difficult situation for Pakistan," he said.

He said Pakistan's best spinner Saeed Ajmal had made the mistake of bowling similarly to the way he did in Dubai .

"When he got wickets it was when he pushed the ball through and depended less on his 'doosra' and more on his off-break ball. Players have to evolve with every match taking into consideration the conditions and weather at a particular time."

Akhtar said when the Pakistani spinners tried to flight the ball the England batsmen minted runs off them.

"That was their mistake but they have now realized what needs to be done on this pitch."

He also said Umar Gul looked tired, rusty and carried niggles when he bowled on Thursday.

"I think Misbah-ul-Haq needs to use him in short spells that is where he is most effective. As it is bowling on the Abu Dhabi ground is not easy for the pacers at all because of the ground conditions where you need to have extra layers of protection in your shoe," he said.

Akhtar, who retired from all cricket during the 2011 World Cup, also felt that Pakistan needed to do better in using the Umpires Decision Review System, insisting the role of the wicket-keeper was very important in advising his captain when to take reviews.

On Thursday, Pakistan didn't take a review when replays showed Jonathan Trott was out leg before while they wasted their reviews on two other instances.