COLOMBO:
With controversies and scandals playing a huge role in tainting Pakistan’s run-up to the World Cup, fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar reckons the player can rise above all that and perform beyond all expectations in cricket’s showpiece event.
Pakistan lost three of their main players – Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt – to spot-fixing charges that were levelled during the England tour in August last year. Wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider’s desertion of the team during the UAE series against South Africa made Pakistan cricket a laughing stock while opener Yasir Hameed’s interview with the News of the World, in which he discussed the spot-fixing allegations on his teammates, added insult to injury.
However, a Test and One-Day International series win against New Zealand and two wins out of two in the World Cup so far have renewed fans’ expectations from the 1992 champions.
“We are hurt and we are here to hurt,” Akhtar repeatedly told reporters while responding to queries on controversies faced by the team in the past few months. “We’ve had a miserable past few months but I’m happy all that has ended before the World Cup.
“We will heal our wounds by giving the best and we’ve already started off well with two wins. We are missing Asif and Amir but we don’t have any other options than to look forward.”
‘Long way to go’
The fast-bowler, who picked up two crucial wickets against Sri Lanka as he bowled with venom and speed he was once renowned for, said that Pakistan still had a long way to go.
“We were considered as underdogs at the start but now we are on par with the favourites and we’ll have to live up to that tag by performing consistently.”
The experienced campaigner, playing his third World Cup, said that the team was united and the senior players were backing up the young guns, most of them who are playing the mega event for the first time.
Gul eyes Australia, NZ wins
Meanwhile, another fast-bowler Umar Gul said that Pakistan are now aiming to get the better of Australia and New Zealand, the other Test-playing nations in Group A.
“The way our performance has been, I’m hopeful against Australia and New Zealand as well,” said Gul.
“The team’s middle-order is performing and hopefully our openers will also hit form now.”
However, the fast-bowler, who is yet to make an impact in the tournament, was unhappy with his own performance.
“I’m trying to improve. Shoaib is very helpful and I love bowling with him.”
He said he was feeling the responsibility as a senior bowler and hoped his performance will improve.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2011.
These are the unnecessary statements that makes people look dumb when they fail. Who has hurt you and why are you hurt. If spotfixing has hurt you then you should hurt your tainted mates. If their banning has hurt you then you are shameless. Instead of making long braggy statements look across and learn from a player called Sachin Tendulkar.
@Sulaiman: shhhhh!!! 😛
That’s The Spirit Guys, Insha Allah This time We Gonna Prove the World we are the best, we gonna shut all of them who all time disrespect over Beloved Country. Our Prayers and best wishes is always with you guys Go and bring the International cricket home by bring The ICC World Cup.
@ Sulaiman: For God Sake man are you really a Pakistani !! I really don’t think so.. instead of supporting your team you are disrespecting them that’s so sad. am amazed you are refraining Indian Players, i think you have no idea India is one the top of sport fixing match fixing etc. thousands of resources proved that India Vs England match was fix, where the hell is Icc anti corruption unit where the hell is Media ??? If you arnt support Pakistani Team Please don’t disrespect them
Yeah we are hurt as Shoaib is representative of 16 million people of Pakistan he said this behalf of us and i agree this, And this is recovery time GO GO Pakistan Play Hard Go PRO.
Go on Shoaib. take them all out. thats a true fast bowlers line of thought. let them know what fast bowling is really about. there isnt any one like and there never has been. one last time Shoaib one last time. let them know what a true legend is.
@Sulaiman:
How the heck does Tendulkar come into this. what should we learn from him. how to hog the strike and the spotlightat the same time. the man plays for himself, his average and his advertising contracts. India never really figures into it. It hasnt for a long long time.
@Sulaiman.. first of all u need to understand the context of that braggy statement(in ur opinion), yes our team our nationis hurt badly, we have lost the opportunity to bring international cricket in our country since after attack on Srilankan teams, we are no more host for the ICC world cup 2010, giving such a sense less comments reveals your mindset. and what u want them to learn from ST, make records for yourself only. show me any match winning innings he has ever played for his team
Yes I agree here….. instead of making tall statements it would be better if he starts putting his head down and do some thing better in the cricket feild. He could have done much better if he solely concentrated on this game that has given him so much.
i know sulaiman is right, infact we all know…pople like sulaiman can bridge the gaap n others just keep quite. by the way a player can play 5-10 match for himself not 450, so if you cant be 5% of ST only then you will pass remark about world best player.ask to all our player n they will say the same>>>>
It is a bit funny to read all the comments here…. and all falling upon suleman there.. for a change guys I am fully with Suleman… I think what he is trying to say is do not make statements just after one performance… put this energy in your practice so that you are fit for the next match… and Sachin…yes there is a lot not just shoib but every one of us learn a little bit from this genius, even our Miandad said this so no more arguements on that.
@Junaid:I hope ur wrong dude.I hope u have forgotten but us that some months back Pakistan team was framed in the match fixing.Hope u would have forgotten that but not the others.Before pinpointing at India, I think u should look at your own team.There are enough evidences that Pakistan most favorite players were involved in the match fixing and also a 17 years old guy.Shame on u guys.I hope there is no one like Sachin Tendulkar in ur team and please u don even have the status to pinpoint at Sachin, whom ur own icon players idolize as legend.
Salam to all ..we are all here to support you guys,,, good luck
This guy suleman does nt know anything bout cricket.India s every other game is fixed India is the most currpt nation in cricket.sachin plays only for himself n hopefully he ll never b a wcup winner.India got impotant bowlers as they ve shown against England.Indians can only dream of having bowlers like Pakistan .icc is a group of money hungry hounds that’s y they don’t Indian matches.come on guys stuff India at there own backyard n win the world cup.
@Jamal:
This is just a sport ..so why get so animated? But is there any thing wrong in some body condemning cheats in sport? Some people like you say all matches are fixed in India, but has any body come up with any proof?? wake up buddy… any body can say anything but the reality is what you see and not what you hear.
The dialogue looks like came from some bollywood/hollywood movie! Really if he fails in the next match he will look foolish..do not undersatand why cricketers need to make dumb comments
‘We’re hurt and now we want to hurt’
” Wow This Pindi Express Is Always have So Much Passion in his Bowling & In his talking ”
” India We Gonna Beat U this Time Very Hard, So B Prepared For It ”
& All Ov U Indian Just Read The Shiv Sina Statement 1st before talking bad about pakistan, U Peoples cant see india loosing, while ur crowd throws stone on the player, Hahahhaha” Have patience we are going to take this worldcup From Ur Mumbai This time Inshallah 🙂
Pakistan XindabaD