I will prefer an Indo-Pak final: Akhtar by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	Shoaib Akhtar
Event:	ICC Champions Trophy 2009/10

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DateLine: 30th September 2009

 

Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar wants arch-rival India to reach the semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy.

 

"I would like to see India qualify for the semi-finals because their presence will make the tournament more interesting and colorful and we might even end up with a Indo-Pak final which could be a super boost for one-day cricket," Shoaib said on news channel on Tuesday.

 

Akhtar said that the Indian team looks short on confidence but despite that he thinks that the Indians can change things pretty quickly.

 

"There is no doubt that at the moment India is short on confidence and Pakistan is high on confidence. But India can change things.

 

"India are capable of beating the under strength West Indian side by a margin of more than 100 runs. And if they qualify for the semi-finals I think we will see a totally different Indian team in the knockout stage," he said.

 

Akhtar said India could become a danger for the other teams if they reach the semi finals as their body language and performances would definitely change for better and they would be a different side in the knockout stage.

 

"Naturally I would love to see Pakistan win the Champions Trophy because that is my team but India must also remain in the competition because they bring value to the competition," he said.