Cricbeat

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has faith in Rawalpindi Express Shoiab Akhtar , and thinks that he would come good and can win the World Cup for Pakistan.

Afridi said that Akhtar is working hard on his fitness and that hopefully he would be back to his fearsome best very soon.


"Let me tell you that Shoaib Akhtar is working really, really hard because he wants to be at his best in the World Cup. In terms of fitness, Shoaib may be a bit down but he is totally committed and is improving day by day," Afridi said.


The sub continent tracks are usually spinner friendly and spinners play a big part in matches, Afridi acknowledges the fact and said that Pakistan could go for an extra specialist spinner.

"The playing conditions would be quite different to what we encountered during our tour of New Zealand. Here we can explore the idea of playing an extra specialist spinner," Afridi said.

Afridi is confident about the team chances and said that he has full faith in the team and once they click they would be difficult to stop.

"I have complete confidence in my boys because each and everyone of them is a match-winner. They need to click and I'm sure they will do that in the World Cup," he said.

Pakistan's play against Bangladesh at Mirpur on Tuesday in their first warm up game.

Shoaib Akhtar has lots of reason to look forward to this World Cup, this is his last World Cup and he wants to go out with a bang. Another reason is his likely duel with long term rival Sachin Tendulkar.

"We all know he is a great player. Every bowler gets hit.

Even Brett Lee gets hit a long way, so I am not worried about being hit for sixes by Tendulkar. I have got him off the first ball too," Akhtar told reporters.

"Not only Sachin, we will try to get other key players early because they can single handedly win matches. Put them under pressure, and get them out early -- that's what I will like to do," added Akhtar.

Speaking about Pakistan chances Shoaib said that the team must win to reclaim its pride after a scandalous year. Three Pakistan player were handed bans after being involved in spot fixing.

Shoaib admitted that Pakistan would miss the banned trio.

"Obviously we are very hurt inside by whatever has happened to us. Pakistan needs to win this Cricket World Cup at any cost. It will bring the charm back for people in Pakistan," said Akhtar.

"We are unfortunate that they are not there. But what can we do now? We have got to move on. I think whatever pace attack we have is good enough to win matches.

"We have the bowlers who can bowl at the death and we can restrict the sides. The main thing is that the ball is going to reverse swing as the match progresses. That is where I think Pakistan's strength lies," he said.

Akhtar also said that he can still bowl consistently at 150/kph despite his age.

"I still bowl 150 kph (93 mph). Obviously when you are 26 and 36, it's a bit different. I will try to do as well as I can with whatever ability I have. I am going to push my limits and give it all to the team."

Play for the Game| 2011 Cricket World Cup Theme Song 

Artists:
AKS Featuring Sajjad Islam, Kamran Ahmed (Pakistan), Tausif Ahmed (Bangladesh), Sherrin Varghese (India) and Natasha Rathnayake (Sri Lanka)