'2011 World Cup Semi-Final Still Haunts Me...Did break A Few Things In Dressing Room': Shoaib Akhtar

Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar wasn't picked in Pakistan's playing XI against India for the semi-finals of 2011 World Cup match in Mohali.

India defeated Pakistan by 29 runs in the semi-final to seal a berth in the finals. ( Image Source :Getty Images )

New Delhi: Indian cricket team defeated Sri Lanka in the final match of the 2011 World Cup final to lift the title after a long gap of 28 years. Indian fans and players were overwhelmed with joy with team India's historic win as MS Dhoni-led Men in Blue lifted the World Cup trophy in front of their home crowd. In the semi-finals clash of 2011 World Cup in Mohali, Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar wasn't picked in Pakistan's playing XI against India after being declared unfit. India defeated Pakistan by 29 runs in the semi-final to seal a berth in the finals, set summit clash against Sri Lanka.

 

In an interview with Sportskeeda, Shoaib said, "Mohali memory haunts me... that 2011 World Cup semi-final. They (Pakistan team management) should have played me. They should have. It was completely unfair from the team management. I knew that I had just two matches left and I had this desire that at Wankhede the Pakistan flag is held high and the team is plays the final. I knew that India was under immense pressure. The entire nation and the media were looking up to the team, which meant we were the underdogs. So, I believed that we shouldn't have taken the pressure," he said.

 

"They told me I was unfit. But I went inside. I bowled eight straight overs during the warm-up. If I played that match, no matter what the consequence would have been, I would have dismissed Sachin and Sehwag. India would have collapsed if Sachin and Sehwag were dismissed early. I was really, really hurt."

 

"So, to see that match for 5–6 hours and watch Pakistan lose from the dug-out... I am not that kind of person who cries, but I'm the kind of person who breaks things. And I did break a few things in the dressing room because I was so sad, disappointed, and furious and so was the entire nation. I knew that all that mattered was those first 10 overs," he added