Shoaib on incredible debut
by Ciaran Baynes, 13 May 2008
Shoaib Akhtar insisted he did not feel he had anything to prove after his incredible 4-11 spell on his IPL debut, but praised his team-mates for giving their support.
Akhtar seemed set for defeat on his debut in the tournament after the Kolkata Knight Riders only reached 133 in their 20 overs.
However, largely thanks to Akhtar taking the first four wickets of the Delhi Daredevils, the home side managed to defend this total dismissing their opponents by 23 runs.
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The Rawalpindi Express was chaired off the field by his team at the end of the game and handed the man of the match award, but was keen to insist it was a team effort that won the game.
"I'm just here to support my team," Akhtar said on Setanta Sports. "I have nothing to prove to anyone.
"You know I've had a very stressful time over the last month or two.
"I forgot all about that and am just concentrating on the IPL.
"I'm really thankful to the people in the dressing room. My teammates. my coach, Ganguly, [owner] Shah Rukh Khan, the supporting staff and the management they've been very helpful.
"[Khan's] treated me like an older brother and he keeps advising me now and then.
"I guess I've been lucky. The guys were really up for the cause and we just ran in and they made it easy.
"[David] Hussey played really well, Salman [Butt] played well. Everybody chipped in and the fielding effort was really good in the end and we'll just enjoy it right now.