ISLAMABAD // Pakistan's fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes beating the world champions Australia in a one-day series later this month would send a message to the cricketing world. Akhtar passed a three-day fitness test last week before he was selected in a 15-man squad for five ODIs against Australia, beginning April 22 in Dubai. "If we beat Australia we can send a strong message that we are a good side and they should come (to Pakistan) and play against us more often," Akhtar said.
A neutral venue is being used because Australia had declined to tour Pakistan on security grounds, even before the terror attack on the Sri Lanka team last month in Lahore that injured seven members of the touring party and left six policemen and a driver dead. Dubai will host the first two games before the series moves to Abu Dhabi for the remaining three matches. Both teams return to Dubai for the only Twenty20 game on May 7.
"I know whatever happened (in Lahore) was not good for Pakistan," Akhtar said. "(But) this coming series is a good opportunity for us to beat a strong team like Australia, which may help us in inviting strong teams to Pakistan and take our country out of isolation." Akhtar, 33, has played just two ODIs since November 2007 due to disciplinary and fitness problems. "Nobody can give a guarantee of fitness in international matches, but I have come into the side after passing a fitness test," he said. "I want to bowl my full quota of 10 overs and enjoy fielding."
Australia will rest three players for the series: the captain Ricky Ponting, the batsman Mike Hussey and the all-rounder Mitchell Johnson. They will be replaced by all-rounders Shane Watson and Andrew Symonds, while paceman Brett Lee was recalled after an ankle injury had ruled him out of the series against South Africa. "Ponting is a great player and so is Hussey, they will surely be missed," Akhtar said. "But Australia have some very good players like Shaun Marsh and Michael Clarke but if the bowlers bowl to their potential, we have a chance to win the series."
Akhtar also backed Pakistan's captain Younus Khan, who replaced Shoaib Malik as skipper in January after Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan 2-1 in a limited-overs series. « "Younus is a very popular man in the dressing room. He does work very hard and leads from the front," Akhtar said. "(Younus' captaincy) is the best thing that has happened to Pakistan and I am very happy with him." Pakistan leave for Dubai on Sunday night and will play a practice match against Pakistan 'B' at the newly built state-of-the-art cricket stadium at Dubai Sports City on Wednesday.
*AP