Kamran Akmal, Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batsman, who has been under much criticism for displaying a dismal performance in the ICC World Cup 2011, has expressed his resolve to make a come-back to the national team, albeit this time in capacity of a specialist batsman.
The wicket-keeper had been ignored for the One Day International series against the West Indies and had been replaced by the emerging player Mohammad Salman for the tour.
Kamran has been into troubled water since the Sydney Test played in January 2010. The selectors have been overlooking him for Test and ODI matches but he has always managed to make a come-back to the national squad.
Speaking in context of his recent omission from the team and expressing his desire to join the team again, even in a different role, he said, “If Pakistan can find a better wicketkeeper than me then I will try to make a comeback as a specialist batsman because batting is something I enjoy a lot and I can bat at any position.”
Having had played 53 Test and 137 ODI matches, Kamran has managed to put six Test and five ODI centuries on the board so far. For seeing an altogether different role for himself in the team, the right-handed batsman said that he was striving to polish his batting skills further as he was desperate to join the national team again. He was of the view that he wanted to serve his country, and was ready to play whatever role the selectors may see for him in the side.
After being constantly overlooked for the encounters against South Africa and New Zealand, Kamran was called to join the team for the World Cup after he got clearance from the integrity committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board. After being neglected for the ODI series against West Indies, there is news that he may not be able to make an appearance into the Test squad either.
Commenting upon the news and the attitude he was being meted out by the selection committee, the wicket-keeper said, “It is true I have had some bad matches in recent months but my performances should be viewed on overall basis. Overall my performance as a wicket-keeper has been fine and I’ve one of the highest dismissals among all the wicket-keepers who have played for Pakistan.”
He said that so far he was the only Pakistani wicket-keeper who has had over 400 dismissals in all formats of cricket. However, he also admitted that his performance against New Zealand in the World Cup Group match was unsatisfactory and the two crucial catches that he dropped haunted him even now.
Kamran also lamented the fact that people were not allowing him to forget the incident and to move on. Referring to that very day of his career, he said that it seemed cursed and people were just criticising him for not putting up against the Kiwis. The people were not acknowledging the performance he displayed against the Australian cricket team.
Kamran also added that as there are not many domestic tournaments being played in the country, he will continue playing club cricket and will look forward to feature in the Sri Lanka T20 League this year.
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