I would like to see India qualify for the semi-finals: Akhtar

By Rahul Bajaj
for Cricketain.com

Published: September 30, 2009

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Karachi: Beleaguered Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will be rooting for India when they take the field against West Indies in a must win game if they want to reach the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy.

“I would like to see India qualify for the semi-finals on Wednesday because their presence will make the tournament more interesting and colorful and we might even end up with an Indo-Pak final which could be a super boost for one-day cricket,” Shoaib said on ‘Duniya’ channel today.

Akhtar, who wasn’t selected in the Pakistan team for the Champions Trophy, said that India are very much capable of beating West Indies by a big margin which is needed so that they can boost their run rate and stay in contention to reach the semi finals.

“There is no doubt that at the moment India is short on confidence and Pakistan is high on confidence. But India can change things. India is capable of beating the under strength West Indian side by a margin of more than 100 runs. And if they qualify for the semi finals I think we will see a totally different Indian team in the knockout stage,” he said.

Akhtar said that India could become a danger for all the other teams if they manage to reach the semi finals and their body language and performances, which have been disappointing so far, would definitely change for better and they would be a different side in the knockout stage.

“Naturally I would love to see Pakistan win the Champions Trophy because that is my team but India must also remain in the competition because they bring value to the competition,” he said. .

Akhtar said it was ironic that Indian fans were today praying for the success of the Pakistan team against Australia so that their team could have a chance of qualifying for the semi finals. “This is why they say cricket is a funny old game,” he joked.

He also said that Pakistan should not get complacent and take the game against Australia lightly since they have already booked a place in the semi-finals and it was important for them to continue their winning momentum against Australia as beating a top side upped the morale of any team. “I think tomorrow’s match will decide whether Pakistan has the ability to go all the way to win the tournament,” he added.

Akhtar also felt that Pakistan needed to rest pacer, Umar Gul against Australia since he was looking tired and needed a well deserved rest. “I just fear if they persist with him he can break down in the coming series,” he said.

He felt that off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has not been utilised properly by Pakistan till now and he could very well be Pakistan’s triumph card against Australia. “The Australians don’t like him and the best way to disturb them is to give Saeed a leading bowling role in the match.”

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