Lara just glad he's not facing Shoaib

Published September 25, 2004

LONDON, Sept 24: West Indies captain Brian Lara might need a few seconds to regain his nerve during Saturday's Champions Trophy final against England - but at least he will not have to face Shoaib Akhtar again.

Lara, who collapsed at the crease after being hit by a delivery from Pakistan pace bowler in the semifinals, told a news conference at The Oval: "There may be a little psychological moment to get over but I'm not too perturbed about it.

"It was the first time I had faced Shoaib and I'm glad I won't have to do it again on Saturday! I have faced England's bowlers many times and I know what to expect." Lara was led off on Wednesday and watched the rest of the seven-wicket victory over Pakistan from the pavilion.

"I was a bit dizzy, that's all. It was just a hit. I have been hit many times before. Nothing's broken. You just go straight back into the nets. It's finished, in the past." -Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Centre vs provinces
10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

DELAYS in budget announcements are normal. After all, it is not easy to satisfy different lobbies competing for a...
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...
Doctor attacked
09 Jun, 2026

Doctor attacked

AN act of reprehensible violence has shaken the medical community. On Saturday, an employee of the Provincial Civil...
AJK flare-up
Updated 09 Jun, 2026

AJK flare-up

The situation started deteriorating after a trader affiliated with the JAAC was reportedly shot in an altercation with law-enforcers.
Fault lines
09 Jun, 2026

Fault lines

THE April 8 ceasefire that halted hostilities between Israel and Iran has encountered its most serious test yet....