Pakistan skipper Shahid
Afridi raised expectations of a return for Akhtar when he said he knew the
bowler wasn't fully fit, but would to have him in the lineup to offer something
different against the powerful Indian batsman.
But a source, who was not
authorized to comment to media, said late Tuesday that Pakistan team management
was not in favor of disturbing a winning combination.
The 35-year-old Akhtar has
already announced he'll retire from international cricket after the World Cup,
but has not played in four of the seven matches in the tournament.
In his absence, Pakistan has
defeated Zimbabwe, handed three-time champion Australia its first World Cup
loss since 1999 and also thrashed the West Indies by 10 wickets in the
quarterfinals.
“The only likely change (for
semifinal) from the quarterfinal team is that leftarm spinner Abdur Rehman
might come in place of offspinner Saeed Ajmal,” the source said.
Afridi told a scheduled news
conference that Pakistan selectors would make a call on Akhtar as late as
possible on the eve of the match.
Akhtar hasn't been in the
starting 11 since the group stage loss to New Zealand.
Several former Pakistan
players have called for Akhtar to be reinstated in a bid to unsettle India's
batsmen, who are comfortable playing spin but could be vulnerable against
all-out pace.
Afridi seemed to imply that
Akhtar would play - providing he is fit - and the player himself is desperate
to return.
“Winning this match (against
India) or performing well, people will remember you all their life,” Akhtar
told BBC radio. “You'll be talked about for many centuries.
“I want to be remembered, I
want to do well, I want to put every ounce of my body that I have left in me. I
will go out there and provide and deliver it.” Former captains Imran Khan and
Javed Miandad were among those backing Akhtar's inclusion, and the 35-year-old
veteran of 163 ODIs has also received support from teammates Umar Gul and
Misbah-ul-Haq.
Gul said Akhtar's presence
would take some pressure of him as Pakistan's frontline fast bowler.
The Pakistan team rested
Akhtar after the loss to New Zealand in which the “Rawalpindi Express” conceded
70 runs, including 28 in one over.
