India will struggle against Shoaib - ESPN STAR

Hell Yes!....CANT wait! to see shoaib back in action!! best wicket taking bowler after the 2 W's no doubt..

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Pakistan left arm seamer Sohail Tanvir in an exclusive chat with espnstar.com backed the Rawalpindi Express will be a changed man on his return to international cricket.


Shoaib Akhtar is all set to make a comeback- barring any injury setback of course - and his teammate of many years, Sohail Tanvir is convinced the mercurial speedster still has it in him to pack a punch.

“I don’t think there is any need be too concerned about Akhtar’s performance. He has been a great asset for Pakistan cricket for many years and if he stays fit, he will deliver.”

In the news for all the wrong reasons over the years, Akhtar played the last of his 144 ODI's in May 2009 against Australia in Abu Dhabi before being recalled into the Pakistan team. Former cricketers, captains, coaches and selectors have often questioned the speedster’s commitment to the national team but his teammate and close ally with the white cherry thought otherwise.

Tanvir reckoned Akhtar’s comeback in itself was a huge boost for Pakistan, who he also termed as favourites to win the Asia Cup.

“When someone like Akhtar joins the bowling attack, the team is bound to feel good and confident. In the Asia Cup- both India and Sri Lanka are going to miss some of their key players.

“India will be without Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh while most of the others are recuperating from the losses against Zimbabwe. In such a scenario, it won’t be easy dealing with Akhtar’s pace and variety.”

Tanvir, who is himself, recovering from an injury played down the hype around Akhtar’s brashness and ego tussles within the team. Newly elected skipper Shahid Afridi had reportedly asked the pacer to quickly fall in line with the ‘new team culture.’

“Look, whatever has happened in the past is history. I am sure you will get to see a different Shoaib Akhtar in the Asia Cup. No matter how big a star any player is, comebacks are the same for all.

“Akthar is a fighter and he has done remarkably despite so many injuries in his career. I hope there is a change this time when Akhtar gets back into the team. Pakistan need him to do well.”

Tanvir added that Akhtar will have a lot of demons to fight- the pressures of coming back to international cricket and the hot and humid conditions in Sri Lanka: “There will be challenges but I am backing Akhtar to rekindle his magic.”

There is hope in the air for Pakistan- a new skipper and an old warhorse back in the line of fire. Will he deliver? Or will Akhtar just fall by the side yet again? The world will know in three days.

Cricket | 'India will struggle against Shoaib' | ESPNSTAR.com

I wonder why tanvir is not back in form yet? its been a long time... he has potential opening bowling w/ aamir

oh ok... never heard about that... thnx. I thought he was out bcz of poor form. But thats good thing with tanvir and gul back, can add alot of firepower to pak bowling

Im totally happy with Akhtar being in the side as long as he can prove his fitness and show that he can last the duration of the Asia cup rather than just bowl his overs in one match and then be out for the next few matches.

hope tanvir and gul r fit for england seires.

i dont think gul deserves selection in tests as we hav so many better options dan Gul. Gul is a T20 specialist in my view. Asif and Aamer are always our first pick in Tests and ODIs. Shoaib is back in ODIs whereas we already have Irfan waiting to be unveiled and he would definitly be an asset. He will easily make his place in tests i guess. Sami is there and also Tanveer with his unusual action dat troubels batsmen so y Gul in Tests??