Gul wants Shoaib for semi

Mohali - Umar Gul wants selectors to recall fellow paceman Shoaib Akhtar to Pakistan's lineup for Wednesday's World Cup semifinal against India.

Akhtar hasn't played since the 110-run loss to New Zealand - Pakistan's only defeat of the tournament - but Gul says the inclusion of the experienced fast bowler "will take some of the pressure off me."

Akhtar's replacement Wahab Riaz hasn't made an impact on the tournament, and former Pakistan captains Imran Khan, Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram believe Akhtar could unsettle the Indian batsmen, who are adept at handling spin.