Pratyush,
you'll have Imran and Hadlee ahead of Wasim Akram in an ODI team?
There are a lot of advantages of having Wasim Akram in the team. The variations he provided, the way he could cause trouble even on the flattest of tracks and every thing else made him one of the best bowlers of all time.
Imran Khan is in the team at number 7 to play the role of an all rounder. He could bat as well (with an average of over 30) apart from being no muck with the ball. Wasim cannot take that spot for me because his batting average of 16.52 doesn't cut it.
Then, there is Hadlee v Akram. Hadlee's ODI bowling is phenomenal as is Akram's. Hadlee's stats: Ave of 21.56 and eco of 3.30. Now even in an era where runs were not scored that fast, an economy of 3.3 is amazing, not to forget the average. Add to that, the batting of Hadlee is stronger (batting average - 21.61). Hadlee offers more than Akram for me. Given also that the tail of my team is pretty weak batting wise (Ambrose, Garner, Murali), some one like Hadlee at 8 is a better option for me.
Akram's stats of an average of 23.52 and economy of 3.89 is very good as well, particlarly in an era when batting became stronger. However, I cannot put him ahead of Ambrose or Garner for one day cricket.
Akram would remain in the squad of 13 or 15 and on lifeless pitches , he could probably come in ahead of Hadlee for the variations Akram offered as well as because the batting of the tail would mostly not be required on a flattish wicket.
