After demolishing New Zealand in the first one-day international, Shoaib Akhtar said he hoped to reach his wicket-taking peak during next year's World Cup. "I am delighted that I have answered my critics by taking wickets yet again and I love to prove my detractors wrong," Akhtar told AFP.

"I am back in form and hope that my wicket-taking form reaches acme in the World Cup so that I can play my part in Pakistan's triumph."

Akhtar, who is known as the "Rawalpindi Express", wrecked New Zealand in Sunday's day-night match with career-best figures of 6 for 16.

His previous best of 5 for 19 was also against New Zealand, in Auckland last year.

He looked like he was bowling grenades as the New Zealanders fended off balls they could hardly see or struggled dismally to get out of the way.

Sunday's fearsome display put batsmen around the world on notice that Akhtar, whose career has been plagued by suspicions about his action, was back and reaching the peak of his powers.

As well as taking career-best figures, he became the 12th Pakistani bowler to reach 100 one-day wickets, having played 60 matches.

"Reaching a milestone is great and motivates you to take more and more wickets," said Akhtar.

"Every time they criticise me the fire burns more in me to prove them wrong. I don't know how many times they wrote me off and they would still do so."

Akhtar said he had his sights set on World Cup champions Australia. "I am waiting for the Australians to come and then I want to achieve the best against them because they are the team to beat," he said. "Pakistan are the only team that can beat Australia and I am sure we will not only beat them in Pakistan (in a tri-series later this year) but also dethrone them as world champions."

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