Mumbai: Kolkata Knight Riders captain Sourav Ganguly today said he hoped Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar would repeat his devastating bowling spell of the last match in tomorrow's crucial IPL tie against Mumbai Indians.

"It is fantastic to be in the same side as him (Akhtar). So far I have been at the receiving end at all times," Ganguly said here.

"I hope he gets Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar and Robin Uthappa out and finishes with five wickets," Ganguly added.

Akhtar, whose five-year ban imposed by Pakistan Cricket Board has been suspended for a month, produced a match-winning bowling spell in Kolkata's last game, taking four wickets to demolish Delhi Daredevils batting lineup.

Ganguly said the Kolkata team had other quality fast bowlers like Ishant Sharma and Ajit Agarkar in their side and expected them to get some assistance from the pitch at the Wankhede here.

"We will hope to finish Sanath Jayasuriya's run of form in the last game," he said.

The tie against Mumbai would be important with the last five games expected to be the crucial ones, Ganguly said.

"No one is sure about their place in the semifinals and only Hyderabad Deccan Chargers and Bangalore Royal Challengers are behind. All other teams can qualify for the semifinals," the Kolkata captain said.

Ganguly said his team had been hit hard by the departure of overseas players, but even after that both the batting and bowling departments had done well.

Source : PTI