KARACHI (Agencies) - Former fast bowling greats Imran Khan and Wasim Akram on Friday advised Pakistan team management to play four specialist bowlers against strong rivals in the ongoing World Cup, even if it means dropping a batsman. Imran said conditions were such in the sub-continent that it was imperative to have a strong attack. "I would prefer to go in with at least six bowlers, four of them specialists because matches are only won by taking wickets," Imran said. He said Pakistan had done well to crush minnows Kenya by 205 runs and that the middle-order batsmen got the chance to spend time out in the middle. "The win will be a great confidence booster for them but at the same time the team management must decide on how to balance the playing eleven and their bowling attack. Because playing just three specialist bowlers and depending on Abdul Razzaq to share the new ball and then on two all-round spinners is a risky tactic for me in these conditions where pitches favor the batsmen," Imran said. The cricketer-turned politician said the team management must play at least four specialist bowlers even if they have to drop one batsmen. "The way they have set up the format of this World Cup, I don't think Pakistan should face any problems qualifying for the quarter-finals. And to me the real contest will come in the knockout stages before which we must have clearly finalised our playing eleven," he said. Akram said he would prefer to have wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal open the innings with either Hafeez or Ahmad Shehzad and Younus Khan batting at number three with Razzaq also going up the order. "I think Razzaq at the moment in these conditions in the World Cup is being wasted at the number eight position. He is not getting enough overs to bat. Given his experience he can easily bat up the order and that would allow Pakistan to play an extra bowler," the former captain said. He pointed out that Pakistan could face problems if they went in with three specialist bowlers only against stronger opponents. "I had talks with the captain and coach and I told them play at least four specialist bowlers. We must use Shoaib Akhtar as an impact and wicket-taking bowler and have a third pacer or second specialist spinner in the side." The former captain had no doubt that Shoaib could make an impact in the tournament. "He looked sharp against Kenya and he is still a match-winner," Akram said.