WASIM AKRAM: ICC Cricket World Cup is the ultimate for a cricketer

Personally, I think a World Cup triumph completes the career of a professional cricketer. And the testament to this are the reactions of Sachin Tendulkar when he lifted the ICC Cricket World Cup in his sixth attempt in Mumbai in 2011. These were an expression of total satisfaction from a modest and humble player who wanted to win the World Cup so desperately. On 2 April 2011, Tendulkar engraved his name in gold as the greatest, most accomplished and complete cricketer.

In contrast, there are some of the modern day icons who have never tasted World Cup success. Ask Brian Lara, Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly and Jacques Kallis, and they will tell you what is missing from their distinguished careers. Likewise, talk to Mike Gatting and he will share his regret of playing a reserve sweep shot in the ICC Cricket World Cup 1987 final, and I am sure the drop catch of Steve Waugh in Headingley in 1999 still haunts Herschelle Gibbs. Similarly, Waqar Younis will be cursing his early career fitness issues which forced him to return home just before the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 1992.

I am excited about the event returning to the vast lands of Australia and New Zealand, as cricket dominates the summer in both countries. The ICC Cricket World Cup will make this summer extra special. The exotic locations of Australia and New Zealand, the excellent facilities - which have been upgraded for the event - and the challenging conditions will combine to make this 11th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup the highlight of the sporting year.

I would like to see the sides making optimum use of the time in the lead-up to the event so that they are best prepared for the event, which will be an extremely challenging and difficult one, and will test the skills, fitness and mental strength of the players to the limits. Go to Australia and New Zealand early to try to adjust to the conditions. Once you adapt, life is much easier.

I am anxiously waiting for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 to start, and, throughout the event, I will be itching to go out and bowl myself. It will be tough for me not to go into flashback mode and remember my magical deliveries at the MCG, which I consider as some of my very best.

It is time though for this generation of cricketers to prove themselves and I hope that when the final comes around on March 29, it will be as memorable an occasion as it was when we lifted the Cup at the same venue 22 years ago. 2014 © ICC Development (International) Limited