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| November 29, 2005 | Tuesday | Shawwal 26, 1426 |
Shoaib relishes battling Flintoff
LAHORE, Nov 28: Top Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar said on Monday he relished the challenge of bowling at England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff because he was the “dangerman”. “Flintoff is my main target and I am enjoying the battle,” Shoaib said on the eve of the third and final Test.
Shoaib tested the ace England all-rounder with bouncers during the drawn second Test at Faisalabad before having him caught by substitute Hasan Raza at gully.
He has so far dismissed Flintoff in three of the four Test innings.
“We know how important his wicket is and that’s why I target him and will continue to do that,” said Shoaib, who grabbed three wickets to wreck England’s top order at Faisalabad.
“We needed quick wickets (at Faisalabad) and got them. But in the end, we ran short of time and the England tail held on for a draw.”
England, chasing 285 to win, were struggling at 20-4 before lower-order batsmen Geraint Jones and Ashley Giles defied the Pakistani attack for nearly 10 overs to salvage a draw.
Shoaib, who missed Pakistan’s last two Test series against India and the West Indies early this year, has taken 11 wickets in two Tests of the ongoing series. The series is a big test for the Pakistani paceman who was criticised by coach Bob Woolmer and media for his attitude and lack of commitment.—AFP
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