'Australians are beatable' - Shoaib

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has said that world champions Australia are beatable in next month's Champions Trophy as well as in next year's World Cup.

"Australians are beatable and we have beaten them and other sides have come close to wins against them," Akhtar told AFP, while inaugurating his former team-mate Wasim Akram's shoe shop in Karachi. "If Pakistan play up to their potential, yes, we can be one of the sides to beat the Aussies.

"It's an awesome tournament with the world's best teams competing and I feel Pakistan has a good chance to win the trophy. I would love to see a Pakistan-Australia final. Recently in Kuala Lumpur, India came close to beating Australia and if you sustain the pressure from Australia you can beat them."

Akhtar missed the Test series against England due to an ankle injury, but took nine wickets in four one-day internationals against England and bowled, on average, at 90 miles per hour. He said that the Indian pitches would suit Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.

"Pakistan has not won the Champions Trophy yet but this would be a good chance because the pitches and weather would be to our liking but we will have to play the best cricket to win a tournament where other seven teams have equal chance."

Akhtar added that he was looking forward to a showdown with Brett Lee, the Australian fast bowler. Akhtar is regarded as one of the world's fastest bowlers alongside Lee.

"Lee was in fine form in the Malaysia tri-series last week so it would be great fun to be in the opposite side of Lee and it's always an enjoyable duel."