"That World Cup game against India still Haunts me" - Shoaib Akhtar recalls the loss against arch-rivals
For every cricket lover in India, the 2011 World Cup is one of the most iconic events, when the Men in Blue won the most prestigious title in the game of cricket at their home ground. After a long wait of 28 years, MS Dhoni and his side won the World Cup.
But it was not easy for India to make it to the finals of the 2011 World Cup because they faced their arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-finals of the ICC event. However, it was India that won that important match and won the game by 29 runs at Mohali, advancing to the final to be played at Wankhede Stadium.
Notably, the former Pakistani speedster and the fastest bowler ever in the game of cricket, Shoaib Akhtar, didn't feature in the semi-final against India because he was declared unfit by the Pakistani team management. In an interaction on Sportskeeda, Akhtar said that the memory of that match against India still haunts him.
He said the management didn't allow him to play but they should have played him. The ex-pacer also opened up that he had only two matches left in him and he had a desire to see the Pakistani flag held at Wankhede Stadium when Pakistan play the final there.
He pointed out that India was under pressure because the entire country and media were also looking up to them, which put pressure on them and Pakistan were underdogs going into that match. Akhtar added that the management told him that he was unfit, but he went to the nets and bowled eight overs on the trot.
The former pacer said, "If I played that match, I would have dismissed Sachin and Sehwag. I was really hurt to watch Pakistan lose. I am not that kind of person who cries, but I am a kind of person who breaks things. "
Akhtar concluded that he was sad to see Pakistan lose and furious because he knew that all that mattered was those 10 overs in the game. India batted first in that match and scored 260/9 in their 50 overs.
Sachin Tendulkar was the top scorer with 85 runs. Chasing the target, Pakistan were bowled out for 231, handing India a victory by 29 runs.