Gul wants Shoaib recall

by Setanta Staff , 28 March 2011 cricket news

Pakistan's Umar Gul is keen for fellow paceman Shoaib Akhtar to be recalled to the side for the World Cup semi-final with New Zealand.


Shoaib has been left out of the Pakistan side since conceding 70 runs from nine overs against New Zealand in a group game and may well have played his last match for the national side, after announcing that he will retire from international cricket at the end of the tournament.

Gul has been in awesome form at the World Cup and has led the attack with pace and skill, backed up by left-armer Wahab Riaz and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq.

But the 26-year-old would love to see the 'Rawalpindi Express' back in the ranks for one last chance of glory.

"Shoaib Akhtar is an experienced bowler who has performed well against India," he said. "If he plays it will take some pressure off me."

Spin has paid a huge part in the Asian giants success over the past five weeks with skipper Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal all at the top of their game, but it may be that the Pakistan selectors go for the experience and pace of Shoaib, who has an excellent record against MS Dhoni's men.

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