Kamran Akmal given a life in The Oval test
Pakistani wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal believes that his recent absence in the 2nd Test at Edgbaston made him realise and assess where he was lacking behind. Akmal was dropped from the team after his poor performance with the bat and gloves but made his comeback in the 3rd Test at The Oval. Wicket keeper Zulqarnain Haider was ruled out of the tour, due to a fractured finger, as he was unnecessarily hit by a throw from English bowler, Stuart Broad.
Akmal’s form with both bat and gloves was under scrutiny ever since his mistakes led to an uncalled for defeat against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s four-wicket win.
Akmal says, “I have been looking at the batting issues with Ijaz Ahmed and more recently with Mohammad Yousuf. Missing the match at Edgbaston gave me the ideal opportunity to assess my game and it was the perfect time for some reflection”.
He also added, “Alec Stewart provided me with some tips on my wicket-keeping and ideas. In addition to Alec http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Paul-Farbrace-c81060 and Wasim Bari have also provided me with some advice and guidance on a couple of technical issues. I’ve taken on board all of the advice that has been given to me and it definitely paid dividends at the Oval”.
Akmal has played 52 test matches taking 182 catches with 22 stumpings. Keeping in mind he plays down the order in test cricket, he has 2,634 runs at an average of 31.80. The young talent also has an impressive 6 test centuries with a highest of 158 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750. Akmal’s One-Day International (ODI) record is also commendable, making 2,376 runs in just 118 ODI’s with an average of 26.74. He has 5 ODI centuries of which the 1st and last came playing against the mighty Aussies. He also has an impressive 119 catches with 20 stumpings.
The 28-year old Pakistani wicket-keeper proves the famous cricketing saying, it takes a great player just one game to come in form. As far as Akmal is concerned young Haider’s injury came as a blessing for his career. In http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391 2010, Akmal was dropped for one test and made a comeback in the next test and performed well.
Akmal recently was intensively interrogated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for allegations of match fixing earlier in 2010, as he dropped Micheal Hussey 3 times. The Aussie went on to make 134. Akmal, along with fellow team-mate Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, was dropped for the T20 series against England. Akmal was able to make a successful come-back to the side, but fast bowler Rana is still out of the Pakistani playing eleven and squad.
Nevertheless, in Pakistan’s ongoing tour of England, Akmal needs to perform if Pakistan are level the Test series. A drawn series would lift the young spirits of the Pakistani team, as they go into the ODI’s. Soon after the Test matches, the visitors would be led by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 in five One Day Internationals.
Mohammad Yousuf’s return from retirement has made a huge difference in the morale of the team. He has supported the infant test captaincy of Salman Butt. Not to forget the bowling heroes of the 3rd Test at The Oval Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif.
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