Imran Khan wants Pakistan to play Shoaib Akhtar in semifinal – ICC World Cup 2011
The cricketer-turned politician, Imran Khan, has urged the Pakistan team management to recall ace pacer Shoaib Akhtar if the Cornered Tigers play arch-rivals India in the semi-finals of the ongoing World Cup.
"If Pakistan plays its semifinal against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 newspaper. The spearhead pacer seems
to have lost favour with the Pakistan team management, including the captain, after giving away 28 runs in a single over during the 110-run defeat at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 halfway through the league stage. The pacer was mauled for three sixes and two fours
during a very costly over by Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915. He has not made Pakistan’s playing squad since then. The mammoth defeat left the fast bowler dejected as he announced his retirement from international cricket after the mega event.
Afridi and his men in green have won all their games since the 35-year-old had been sidelined, including a convincing 10-wicket win against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in the quarterfinal game in Dhaka.
Akhtar, who made his ODI debut in 1998 and has so far picked up 247 wickets from 163 games, has been plagued by fitness as well as disciplinary issues throughout his 14-year long international career. The Rawalpindi Express has spent the
last two years battling a knee surgery.
The Rawalpindi-born right-arm fast bowler has targeted a landmark of 250 ODI wickets; however he said that he is not unhappy for having been snubbed from the last two games. While talking to the media reporters, Akhtar said that even if
he failed to achieve the career haul of 250-wickets he would still remain the fastest bowler of the high-profile tournament.
"It will be dream to reach that landmark, but if I don't get picked, there is not much I can do. I still remain the fastest bowler in this World Cup," said the speedster. "Pakistan winning the World Cup is far more important than reaching
personal goals. For me, nation comes first. That's the way I have been. So I will accept any team decision," he added further.
Pakistan will play the winner of underway India-Australia clash in the semifinal of the World Cup to be played in Mohali on 30 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391.
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