Still no green light for Akhtar - Tuesday, March 29th 2011

Source : http://worldcup2011.cricket365.com/news/view/still_no_green_light_for_shoaib_akhtar

Still no green light for Akhtar

Tuesday, March 29th 2011

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Shoaib Akhtar remains in doubt ahead of Pakistan’s World Cup semi-final clash with India in Mohali.

The 35-year-old pace ace, who announced earlier in the month that he will quit international competition at the end of the tournament, garnered just three wickets at an average over 40 through the group stages and has since taken a back seat to the selection of fellow seamer Wahab Riaz.

However, with Riaz having failed to step up consistently enough, Akhtar has been tipped to return to the side to potentially partner in-form fast bowler Umar Gul with the new ball.

Captain Shahid Afridi, though, refused to commit as to whether or not Akhtar will feature in Wednesday’s sub-continental showdown.

“Shoaib is not 100 percent. He is trying his level best to play and we will decide on him soon,” said Afridi.

Through injury and lack of form, the impending retiree has insisted that he can still perform for his country against their arch rivals and hoped that the selectors would oblige his wish to end his career on a high note - or at least try to.

“Winning this match against India or performing well, people will remember you all their life,” Akhtar told BBC Radio.

“You’ll be talked about for many centuries.

“I want to be remembered, I want to do well, I want to put every ounce of my body that I have left in me. I will go out there and provide and deliver it.”

“It’s a huge match for everyone, the players, the fans, everyone involved in it,” Ajmal toldPakPassion.net.

“A World Cup semi-final can only be surpassed in one-day cricket by the World Cup final itself. The added spice to the occasion, of course, is that the opponents are India and that the match is in India itself.

“The whole world will be watching and following the match and it should be a fantastic occasion. These are the sort of matches that you look forward to playing in and dream about.”