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Fit Akhtar wants crack at Aussies


King

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FIT-again fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar wants to lead Pakistan's attack against Australia later this year, saying that the world champions bring out the best in him. More... Fit Akhtar wants crack at Aussies June 27, 2007 FIT-again fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar wants to lead Pakistan's attack against Australia later this year, saying that the world champions bring out the best in him. The injury-prone 31-year-old paceman is back in the Pakistan team after missing the World Cup in the Caribbean earlier this year due to knee problems. "My best comes against Australia. I am confident that I will keep fit and help my team beat Australia," Akhtar said as a 14-man Pakistan squad left for Scotland. Pakistan play hosts Scotland in Edinburgh on July 1 before taking on arch-rivals India in Glasgow two days later. The mercurial bowler, who played just one Test this year due to nagging injury problems, said he enjoyed facing India but added that playing Australia boosted his performances. "It is always exciting to play against India. But Australia bring out the best in me," said Akhtar, whose last full series was against the traditional rivals last year. Pakistan are also due to travel to India later this year. "I am gearing up for the full season. I hope I keep fit and play a lead role, especially in our home series against Australia," he added. Pakistan host Ricky Ponting's men early next year. It has not beaten Australia in a Test series since its 1-0 win at home in 1994. Akhtar's three appearances against Australia 1999, 2002 and 2004 each ended with Pakistan losing 3-0. "I know my fitness will play a major part, but I am confident that I will play my role this season as we have three very important series," said Akhtar, who was also at the centre of a doping scandal last year. He and fellow paceman Mohammad Asif were banned for two years and one year respectively after they tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone. The bans were controversially lifted a month later. An appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against the overturning of the ban is still pending in the Court of Arbitration of Sport in Switzerland. But Akhtar said he had put last year's problems behind him, adding that a stint at a Pakistan army training camp earlier this month had worked wonders. "This is the best I have felt in my entire career," said Akhtar, who had twin knee operations last year. He then damaged his hamstring on a tour of South Africa, where he was sent in as a reinforcement. "I hope this is a new start for me and I will do my best to play continuous cricket. I know what is required of me in Tests as well as in one-day internationals and I am ready to play my part."

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With this record? He's got to be kidding!

 6 ball overs)       Mat    O       R   W   BBI    BBM     Ave  Econ    SR  5 10
 
unfiltered            43 1259.2  4276 169  6/11  11/78   25.30  3.39  44.7 12  2
filtered              10  291.5  1105  31  5/21   8/72   35.64  3.78  56.4  3  0
 
v Australia           10  291.5  1105  31  5/21   8/72   35.64  3.78  56.4  3  0
 
in Australia           6  170.3   740  17  5/99   6/121  43.52  4.34  60.1  2  0
in Pakistan            2   78.2   251   5  2/107  3/175  50.20  3.20  94.0  0  0
in Sri Lanka           1   29      72   8  5/21   8/72    9.00  2.48  21.7  1  0
in U.A.E.              1   14      42   1  1/42   1/42   42.00  3.00  84.0  0  0

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With this record? He's got to be kidding!
 6 ball overs)       Mat    O       R   W   BBI    BBM     Ave  Econ    SR  5 10
 
unfiltered            43 1259.2  4276 169  6/11  11/78   25.30  3.39  44.7 12  2
filtered              10  291.5  1105  31  5/21   8/72   35.64  3.78  56.4  3  0
 
v Australia           10  291.5  1105  31  5/21   8/72   35.64  3.78  56.4  3  0
 
in Australia           6  170.3   740  17  5/99   6/121  43.52  4.34  60.1  2  0
in Pakistan            2   78.2   251   5  2/107  3/175  50.20  3.20  94.0  0  0
in Sri Lanka           1   29      72   8  5/21   8/72    9.00  2.48  21.7  1  0
in U.A.E.              1   14      42   1  1/42   1/42   42.00  3.00  84.0  0  0

In recent times he has done quite well against them.
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Counts for jack. His career average against them is 10 points higher than his overall average, so it's quite clear that he is shooting off his mouth again. And that's if the CAS doesn't come down on him like a tonne of bricks for drug cheating.

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PS why is he looking so far ahead? first needs to concentrate on the series against SA.
Doesn't he play against his nemesis India before then? Overall average 35, last 5 Tests 39. No wonder he is not talking about playing against India.
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Nah, he bowls well against Australia. I don't think any other bowler has taken as many fivers against AUS as Showape has (maybe Bond?). He took two five wicket hauls on his last tour of AUS, and that 5/21 at Colombo is one of the most destructive spells every bowled. That top class Aussie batting lineup was shot out for 120...

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One bowling performance of Akhtar against Australia was the in the 3rd ODI of the super challenge series played in Australia. He was seriously quick then. Ran through the Aussie team1YFbwl5WPW4&mode=related&search=

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You proved my point, thanks Shwetabh. BTW, I can think of at least three contemporary fast bowlers who have better records against Australia than Akhtar. Malinga @ 26.4, Flintoff @ 29.6, and Ntini @ 31.4. Join the back of the queue, dopey.

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BTW, he is still a drug cheat. If an athlete like Marion Jones can go bankrupt because of unproven allegations against her (she was in fact cleared of EPO abuse), i don't see why this blatant cheat should even be talking about the future. He shouldn't have a future.

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