Akhtar backed to face India

Gul joins growing chorus of support for veteran paceman

Last updated: 28th March 2011  

Akhtar backed to face India

Akhtar: Could be recalled

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Pakistan bowler Umar Gul has joined a number of former players in calling for Shoaib Akhtar to play in the World Cup semi-final against India.

Veteran paceman Akhtar has not played in the tournament since the 110-run Group A loss to New Zealand, where he conceded 28 runs off a single over.

Pakistan have won all three matches they have played in his absence, although the 35-year-old's replacement - Wahab Riaz - has less experience on Indian pitches ahead of Wednesday's clash in Mohali.

And Gul thinks that the experience of Akhtar, who has already announced his intention to retire at the end of the tournament, could be vital during the contest.

"Shoaib Akhtar is an experienced bowler who has performed well against India," Gul said.

"If he plays, it will take some of the pressure off me. When he was not there, there was a lot of pressure on me."

Calls

Imran Khan has been leading the calls for Akhtar to be included again and another former captain - Javed Miandad - has also backed the seamer to face India.

"If Shoaib Akhtar is fit and the team management thinks that the wicket will suit the fast bowlers at Mohali then they should include him in the playing XI," Miandad told The Associated Press.

"Shoaib could definitely make some sort of an impact if the wicket suits the fast bowlers and I think he should replace Wahab Riaz."

Akhtar has taken 41 wickets at an average of 26.78 in 28 matches against India and many believe his raw speed and aggression could trouble the hosts.

Although the Pakistan squad have been quick to stress that the decision is up to team management, batsman Misbah-ul-Haq is another player who thinks Akhtar can give the side an edge.

He said: "Shoaib Akhtar is a class bowler. He has performed for Pakistan on a number of occasions including the 1999 World Cup. If he does play in coming matches, I feel it will give us a psychological advantage."

India 8/15, Pakistan 6/4

Comments (16)

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Ameer Chaudhri says...

Umar Gul has got some big match exprience, has done well this tournament, and is very good, but for him to come out openly and say this shows he is feeling the pressure of this match, which is why we should probably take the unpredictable Shoaib Akhtar on, and with the final looming, surely he'd keep his cool trying to impress. This is match is the equivalent of a real madrid VS barcelona champions league semi final, but with international countries, and a much bigger rivalry! Can't wait, come on Pakistan!

Posted 00:31 30th March 2011

Mahboob Hussain says...

i think shoaib must be in starting xv1 beacuse he is a world class bowler and gives boost to team i cant see him being him left out. it will be tough match for both teams who ever wins on the day, im sure it will be good cricket game to watch, inshallah i hope its pakistan who goes through to play sri lanka in mumbai on saturday

Posted 22:31 29th March 2011

Haris Malik says...

Cant wait to watch tommrow pakistan v india. PAKISTAN IS GOING TO WIN I hope.

Posted 18:24 29th March 2011

Hasnain Fareed says...

pakistan will win by 6 wickets

Posted 16:54 29th March 2011

Mohammed Ali says...

Firstly shoaib should be allowed to play as he himself doesn't want to leave the team knowing that the last time he came out to play for pakistan he went for 70 odd runs therefore he will be angry and motivated to rip apart the heads of any player in the indian side

Posted 15:00 29th March 2011

Jehanzeb Khan says...

Akhter should play to cause impact against indian top order. Afridi should only let shoaib bowl 6 overs between the overs of gul, razzaq, hafeez, afridi and ajmal. This will help to cause great cause of concern in the indian minds and confuse them which will make them loose wickets.

Posted 12:35 29th March 2011

Abdul Mujid says...

india. 250. To. 285. Pakistan. 230. To. 300. Shoaib Akhtar ok

Posted 05:59 29th March 2011

Jack Hobden says...

has it bee play yet

Posted 03:45 29th March 2011

G Bhatti says...

Yes.. Definitely Shoaib should be given a chance to open the bowling with Umar Gul.. as Shoaib is an Outclass cricketer, I think he will prove once more his metal..

Posted 21:33 28th March 2011

William Gumble says...

Well playing Shoaib Akhtar is a big gamble against india. He is now way over the hill and hes fitness levels are very poor. As shown against new zealand in the death overs he can get smacked around if hes not in hes rhythm which nowadays takes a long time to get into. India to win by 8 wickets!

Posted 21:15 28th March 2011

Muhammad babar Khan says...

shoaib is key but if he is unfit then sohail tanveer is better option compared with wahab riaz bcoz he is all rounder. at the same time abdul rehman and ajmal both should be given a chance in this paricular match as india has a long batting line and no bowling at all. there is no point asking asad shafique to play as indian wickets are slow and suit any batsman, and pakistan can play even without shafique. at the same time i believe afridi should open the inning with hafeez and kamran akmal should stay at number 6. razzaq should be given a longer time to play. insha allah pakistan will be the winner of semi final and the world cup. ameen

Posted 21:02 28th March 2011

Khayam Ali says...

Pakistan will win the game if they stick to the game plan. Pakistan bowling is strong and india's bowling is not as good as pakistan. India's batting is strong, but so is pakistan batting line up. I think it will be good game, but for me Pakistan will win. Pakistan Zindabaad!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 20:36 28th March 2011

Uncle Urfi says...

And here comes the Pakistani downfall. Pakistans victories over Australia and The West Indies were achieved by combining skill with disciplined, planned, cricket. Controlled bowling to a well planned field placement that slowly built pressure on the opposing batsmen. Now a game against India comes up and all planning gets thrown out of the window and sentiments take over. Shoaib is over the hill. Get over it. His main asset was his speed and his liability was his fitness. He is nowhere near as fast as he used to be and his lack of fitness is plain for all to see. There is a reason why Shoaib announced his retirement. Let's make sure that our last memory of him bowling does not involve him being spanked all over the park by Tendulkar and Sehwag as Pakistan get dumped out of the world cup.

Posted 20:32 28th March 2011

Jaimonh Joseph says...

I think srisanth can support zaheer for pace bowling attack in next match.

Posted 18:27 28th March 2011

Amar Malik says...

I believe it will be a very close contest! - and feel Shoaib should be given the nod ahead of Wahab as this is his last chance to impress and leave his mark on a special occasion and special career which he made his name in india and returns for one last time. he is a geniune match winner and can change the game with one or two deliveries. This will be a psychological game and playing in india the pressure will me more on indian team than pakistan and shoaib can unsettle the best of batsmen. It will be pressure game and mental strenttgh being teh key to who will come out on top. I have my money on Pakistan to do it providing Akhtar plays and batsmen can notch up a good total.

Posted 15:13 28th March 2011

Murtaza Rizvi says...

i think shoaib has to come because he is only the fast bowler for pakistan.

Posted 14:14 28th March 2011
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