MOHALI - The question about the inclusion of Shoaib Akhtar, very well known as Rawalpindi Express, in the high-voltage semi-final clash against India is the most-discussed topic in the cricketing world.
Many of the legendary Pakistan cricketers, including Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Moin Khan, are in favour of playing with Shoaib Akhtar in the March 30 Semi-final at Mohali.
Keeping in view the previous record of Shoaib Akhtar against India; every irrational cricket guru is in support of his presence in the team; that will not only strengthen Pakistan fast bowling department, that currently depends completely on Umar Gul as Wahab Riaz couldn’t threat his opponents, but it will haunt the strong Indian batting line-up wary of bouncing deliveries coming to them with a rocketing speed.
Apart from the wishes of Shoaib Akhtar fans, analysis of the experts, facts, figures and records; team management is reportedly thinking conversely. A close source in the Pakistan team revealed, although not verified from any other independent source; that the team management, including skipper Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis, are not in favour of Shoaib playing in Mohali on Wednesday, as they are annoyed by the Shoaib's behaviour after the defeat to New Zealand in the group stage.
The source disclosed that Shoaib made some "derogatory" comments against Kamran Akmal after the match against New Zealand and situation might have been much more worsened if the manager and coach had not intervened.
He was fined for his behaviour and management had to drop him for the next three matches against Zimbabwe, Australia and West Indies. In the mean time, he announced his retirement from the international cricket after the World Cup, which prompts management that Shoaib is not in the right mental or physical condition to face such a challenge like Pakistan-India high-pressure semi-final of the World Cup.
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