India have maintained a perfect winning streak against Pakistan in the 50-over World Cup. The two nations have met each other on seven occasions, with the Men in Green nearly breaking the streak in 2011.
India defeated Pakistan by 29 runs in the 2011 World Cup semi-finals held at Mohali. The defeat was heartbreaking for Pakistan’s players.
Shoaib Akhtar, who was part of the squad, missed the match after being benched.
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Shoaib Akhtar revealed the defeat still haunts him.
Akhtar said that he should have played the match. According to him, the outcome would have been different if he had been a part of the playing XI. “They should have played me. It was completely unfair by the team management. I knew I had just two matches left, and I wanted to see Pakistan’s flag at the Wankhede Stadium, the venue of the mega-final. I knew India were under immense pressure. The entire nation and the media were looking up to the team,” he said.
Beside criticizing his management, Akhtar made a big claim about Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.
“If I had played that match, I would have dismissed Sachin and Sehwag. India would have collapsed if Sachin and Sehwag had been dismissed early. I was hurt. I did break a few things in the dressing room because I was sad and disappointed.