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Shoaib Akhtar aiming to end career with a World Cup triumph

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http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shoaib-Akhtar-c90080 aiming to end career with a World Cup triumph
Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar has said the upcoming ICC World Cup 2011 will mark the end of his career.
Akhtar also underlined the significance of winning the prized tournament for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 and believes victory will bring cricket back to Pakistan.
Akhtar said, “Is this the twilight of my career? Yes. It is very special, playing in the sub-continent's World Cup. I am not sure about how long I'm going to be playing, but I will try to make sure it is full of memories. My personal target is to play every
match and to leave 45-50 days after winning the World Cup.”
Pakistan will go into the World Cup with some confidence after a 3-2 win against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 retained his spot as the
skipper of the ODI team.
Despite a very successful tour of New Zealand, many cricketing pundits are considering the Men in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Green-c60723 as underdogs for the tournament. This is mainly due to the disastrous off-field issues Pakistan cricket has faced in the past 12 months. The recent banning
of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Amir-c76675 for at least 5 years each has put added pressure on Afridi’s men.
Akhtar also expressed his disappointment over Amir’s ban and said he was hoping that he would make it to the World Cup. Akhtar added that he is playing the tournament because he wants “People to realize that still, very honorable people play for our country.”
The fast bowler also rejected claims that Pakistan has a weak side compared to other top teams. He said that they have a very well balanced unit and the Subcontinent pitches will suit them.
On Pakistan’s pace attack he said, “The main advantage for us is reverse swing, that's where I think Pakistan team's strength lies. We have the best combination of reverse swing and new-ball fast bowlers. I think we can manage to put it out right. We need
to win at any cost, the team needs a situation, and what better situation than the World Cup. I think this is a defining moment for Pakistani cricket.”
However, Akhtar was quick to point out that the slow nature of the Subcontinent pitches might be a disadvantage for fast bowlers. He nonetheless believes that Pakistani batsmen will be able to cash in on such slow surfaces.
Pakistan’s first World Cup fixture is against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kenya-c752 on 23 February. Even though Pakistan are not being termed as the favourites to win the tournament, it is believed that due to the high number of individual match winners in the side, they have the potential
to secure a second World Cup trophy.

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