Akhtar wary of England backlash
Akhtar has returned from injury and taken seven wickets in two games
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Monday, 04, Sep 2006 09:23
Paceman Shoaib Akhtar has warned Pakistan they must be focused despite their continued dominance over England in one-day cricket.
The 'Rawalpindi Express' has been a major force for Bob Woolmer's team, both in the series in Pakistan before Christmas and in the first two games this summer.
However, Akhtar has warned his teammates they must not let their guard down as England have the players to turn the tide against them.
"The thing is with the one-day game, you seem to get runs one day and the next day you don't get any runs at all," Akhtar told Sky Sports.
"We are exploiting their weaknesses but we know they are all very good players and definitely can get back to who they are."
Akhtar has made a positive return to international cricket after injury kept him out of the Test series, taking 3-45 in the first game in Cardiff and 4-28 at Lord's on Saturday.
The 31-year-old admits he is happy with his form and insists he has been rewarded for his persistence to get back to his best.
"I've been training really hard and I've been working really hard so it is good to have a good comeback and get some wickets," Akhtar added.
"I think I'm pretty lucky but I just like to keep on doing my sheer hard work."
Pakistan have a 1-0 lead in the series with three matches remaining.