Shoaib Akhtar says he can still deliver at 150 kmph
The express pacer of Pakistan Shoaib Akhtar has said that he has not lost his pace and can still bowl at 150 kmph. Akhtar, optimistic about his fitness, said that he wants to lead the side to good results by giving some match-winning performances.
The fast bowler from Rawalpindi, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 holds the record of delivering a ball at a speed of more than 100 mph (exceeding 161 kmph), the fastest in the history of world cricket. The 35-year-old right-arm pacer told the media reporters on
Wednesday that due to a modified run-up he is now comfortable even with exhaustive longer bowling spells.
"I have shortened my run-up but am still bowling at almost 150 kmph. It would have been great for my career had I modified my run-up 10 years ago," Akhtar said.
Akhtar who has recently made a comeback to the international arena after a gap of almost two years, is looking forward to a match winning performance for Pakistan in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2011, which will be played from February to
April in the subcontinent.
"But I am still bowling well and am confident of playing a match-winner's role in the World Cup and will try to make it a memorable event for Pakistan," said the fast bowler, who finished with 3 for 38 from four overs in the opening T20
match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754, which Pakistan lost by 5 wickets.
Shoaib, who has an injury and scandal plagued cricketing career, was added to the Pakistan squad that toured UAE in October/November to play a neutral venue series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757.
Pakistan cricket is going through its worst period with spot-fixing scandal embroiling more than half a dozen of its experienced players and Shoaib aims to bring his team out of the turmoil by giving his best to the side.
"I'm always an optimist when it comes to my fitness. I just want to make a difference and lead this team to some good results," Akhtar said. "We are going to win matches and show respect and show the world we are honourable people," he added
further.
Since debuting in 1997 Shoaib has picked 178 Test wickets at an average of 25.69 from 46 Tests and 242 ODI victims at 24.50 in 157 One Day Internationals. Next year’s esteemed World Cup event in all probability is going to be the last 50-overs
World Cup of 35-year-old Shoaib Akhtar’s cricketing career as a player.
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