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Pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar said on Sunday he was confident Pakistan would progress swiftly under new coach Geoff Lawson, who he says wants to inject aggression into the troubled side.

“Of course Lawson has made a swift impact. He is a thinking coach and the team in general, and fast bowlers in particular, are benefiting,” Shoaib told.

Pakistan’s 15-man squad completed a tune-up camp on Sunday to wrap up preparations for next month’s inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.

Shoaib, 32, said player energy levels have increased. “Lawson’s policies are aggressive and he always thinks and preaches for a win,” Shoaib said.

The injury-plagued Akhtar, who has played just four one-day matches and two Tests in the last 19 months, is confident of improving his fitness under Lawson and Pakistan’s new trainer, fellow Australian David Dwyer.

“I know he will come down very hard on me and has instructed the trainer to make a special programme for me which includes the diet, my sleep and about how can I keep my fitness,” said Shoaib, who had twin knee operations last year.

The mercurial paceman believed Pakistan will have to play aggressive cricket to succeed in the Twenty20 World Cup.

“I am hopeful that this team can achieve the best results,” he said. “But we are focussed for not only Twenty20 cricket but also for the important Test series against South Africa, India and Australia,” he added.

Source:Cricket News

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