We can be the world’s best side: Akhtar

[mastana]

We are the world’s best side: Akhtar

LAHORE: Fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes Pakistan can be the world’s “best side†if they can overcome the off-field controversies they find themselves drowning in regularly. Akhtar, who is leading Islamabad Leopards in the ongoing Faysal Bank Twenty20 Cup, has been a regular in Pakistan’s limited-overs squad since the Asia Cup in June. “If the situation favoured Pakistan in England and if we had stayed away from controversies, Pakistan would’ve beaten them five nil in the One-Day Internationals (ODI),†Akhtar told reporters at Gaddafi Stadium. “As far as I know, Pakistan are the world’s best side in ODIs and T20s. “We have the ability to win against any team. Our main strength is bowling and reverse-swing and it has been the case since the 1980s but our batting has been a concern for a long time. But once our batting improves and we play fifty overs with authority, we can become an unbeatable side.†Akhtar is part of Pakistan’s ODI and T20 squad for the series against South Africa in the UAE where they will play two Twenty20s, five ODIs and two Tests followed by five ODIs and two Tests in New Zealand. Akhtar also denied reports that he has distanced himself from Test cricket and is focussing solely on the shorter format. “It’s not like I don’t want to play Test cricket. To be very honest, I missed doing that in England. I’ve started work on a new run-up after the Asia Cup and with this, my pace has remained the same but it has reduced the workload on my body. I don’t think I’m ready to play Test cricket right now but I’m definitely looking forward to the New Zealand series to make a comeback.â€

http://tribune.com.pk/story/62238/we-are-the-worlds-best-side-akhtar/

[mastana]

Across the border number 7 is considered as number 1? :hmmm:

[ZodiaC]

Across the border number 7 is considered as number 1? :hmmm:

7>1. Mashallah lahori logic at work :giggle:

[ShahidAfridi]

If Aamer,Asif,Younis Khan and Salman Butt was playing then 5-0 or 4-1 would of been the result. Shoaib Akhtar got 4-0-20-4 vs the Wolves in a must win game for Isalamabad Leapords. 3 wickets in his 1st over

[mastana]

If Aamer,Asif,Younis Khan and Salman Butt was playing then 5-0 or 4-1 would of been the result. Shoaib Akhtar got 4-0-20-4 vs the Wolves in a must win game for Isalamabad Leapords. 3 wickets in his 1st over

Where did he get those wickets? In RBS Jamaalghota Cup?

[Rajiv]

Apart from mocking them, Pakistani usually struggles with mainly 2 things 1) Bad Combination 2) Internal Politics, Back Biting, add-ons through influence and the worst admin u can imagine The Fixing Controversy is just icing on the cake, so regardless if their talent, the off-filed activities has destroyed them inside else I feel they can be a very good side

[Ram]

To become the world's no.1 side, you must first have a side. Thats sort of hard when half of your team members are either busy match fixing, carrying drugs through airport security, pitch/ball tampering etc. :giggle:

[Mamu]

Apart from mocking them, Pakistani usually struggles with mainly 2 things 1) Bad Combination 2) Internal Politics, Back Biting, add-ons through influence and the worst admin u can imagine The Fixing Controversy is just icing on the cake, so regardless if their talent, the off-filed activities has destroyed them inside else I feel they can be a very good side

OK let me make you the Paki Selector, who would you select ? No combination is going to work for them. They just don't have the talent. Simple as that. Every single player of theirs has been tried and tested over the last 18 months and the results are there for everybody to see.

[Rajiv]

^^ Its not like that, going by an example back in 1999 - where they were all hot after beating India in ODI and Test Championship, Akram mentioned that with so many players, we finally got our combo right and they reached the final in WC. if I were Pak selector, i dont even know whoz playing but in general terms, every team needs a good combo and for the reasons I explained above like internal politic, a deserving players sits our Eg., Asim Kamal, Z. haider ( although new but we all knew what happened )

[jf1gp_1]

Name one Pak player who could even make it to BD team

[ravishingravi]

^^ Its not like that, going by an example back in 1999 - where they were all hot after beating India in ODI and Test Championship, Akram mentioned that with so many players, we finally got our combo right and they reached the final in WC. if I were Pak selector, i dont even know whoz playing but in general terms, every team needs a good combo and for the reasons I explained above like internal politic, a deserving players sits our Eg., Asim Kamal, Z. haider ( although new but we all knew what happened )

I think they got the captain right then who brought the team together. Ofcourse after a brilliant run they would fall apart again after revolting against the captain i.e Akram.

[ravishingravi]

Shoaib has been spending too much time with Asif apparently and smoking what he is.

[Rajiv]

I think they got the captain right then who brought the team together. Ofcourse after a brilliant run they would fall apart again after revolting against the captain i.e Akram.

..thats my point no. 2 Internal Politics, Pak team is like a group of travelers who will jump over each other to buy the ticket but then ruin the actual journey. if the right group gets the ticket, then its a pleasant one else its nothing abt a drag

[thevortex]

Hmm...I dont think people can dispute Pakistan's talent. Everything else can be questioned...

[ZodiaC]

Apart from mocking them, Pakistani usually struggles with mainly 2 things 1) Bad Combination 2) Internal Politics, Back Biting, add-ons through influence and the worst admin u can imagine The Fixing Controversy is just icing on the cake, so regardless if their talent, the off-filed activities has destroyed them inside else I feel they can be a very good side

Agree with rajivbhai here. The country itself is rotten to core, so nothing they can do about that.

[Mamu]

Hmm...I dont think people can dispute Pakistan's talent. Everything else can be questioned...

Lets list it out Salman Butt Asad Ali Umar Akmal Shazab Hassain Kamran Akmal Shahid Afridi Mo Yusuf (On a walking stick) Tell me which one of these guys would you put in any other team ? Except for Asif and Amir -- none would get into any other side. Possibly Umar into some teams. 2 talented out of 11 are not going to win you games.

[thevortex]

Lets list it out Salman Butt Asad Ali Umar Akmal Shazab Hassain Kamran Akmal Shahid Afridi Mo Yusuf (On a walking stick) Tell me which one of these guys would you put in any other team ? Except for Asif and Amir -- none would get into any other side. Possibly Umar into some teams. 2 talented out of 11 are not going to win you games.

Umar Gul is no slouch, Mamu. Umar Akmal is definitely talented. This plus the two others you have mentioned are very good indeed. You also forgot about their off spinner - Saeed Ajmal. Salman Butt is not a very bad player...

[ravishingravi]

Lets list it out Salman Butt Asad Ali Umar Akmal Shazab Hassain Kamran Akmal Shahid Afridi Mo Yusuf (On a walking stick) Tell me which one of these guys would you put in any other team ? Except for Asif and Amir -- none would get into any other side. Possibly Umar into some teams. 2 talented out of 11 are not going to win you games.

Those days are gone. I think some people still fantasize with Pak team of the past with its talent and "unpredictability". They have 3-4 good players which most international sides have.

[Hindustani]

Hmm...I dont think people can dispute Pakistan's talent. Everything else can be questioned...

What talent you are talking about ?

[ShahidAfridi]

Lets list it out Salman Butt Asad Ali Umar Akmal Shazab Hassain Kamran Akmal Shahid Afridi Mo Yusuf (On a walking stick) Tell me which one of these guys would you put in any other team ? Except for Asif and Amir -- none would get into any other side. Possibly Umar into some teams. 2 talented out of 11 are not going to win you games.

I can name 8 players that would get into any T20/ODI side or run very very close Shahid Afridi Umar Akmal Mo Yousuf Umar Gul Shoaib Akhtar Mohammed Aamer Saeed Ajmal Mohammed Asif Saeed Ajmal > Bhajji Gul > Useless Indian Seamer Mohammed Aamer> Ishant Sharma Afridi > Jadeja Thats a couple of the top of my head Stop being biased, appreciate good players from any country