The ‘Akmal’ duo - Part 1 – Opinion
The duo of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s best players in colored clothing, and their exploits in the T20 format of the game are unquestionable.
Their cricket acumen and ability to push the scoring rate in any situation has made them the silent achievers in a team which had been marred by controversy in 2010. Their contributions with the bat have won some memorable games for Pakistan in T20 cricket,
which means that they are nearly indispensable to the team.
Their indispensability could perhaps be attributed to their calmness on the field, which sends down a soothing effect, into the Pakistani dressing room. Not many can dispute the fact that watching the Akmal brothers’ play is an enthralling experience. The
silken cover drives that they play, along with fierce cut shots that they smoke, are pleasing to the eye. They are not only attractive players, but incredibly consistent too, as their penchant for scoring big runs has helped their side come up with some stupendous
performances.
Kamran’s ability to annihilate attacks tends to coincide with his doggedness, if the team needs a patient knock from one of their premier batsmen. Similarly, Umar Akmal is renowned as a big six hitter as much as he is known for his ability to connect with
the ball and turn singles into twos. This rare combination of flare and maturity is exactly what a team like Pakistan need as they enter the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 in September.
Not many cricket fans would forget the heroics of the Akmal brothers in the semi final of the ICC World T20 in 2010. Their brutal display of power hitting set the Beausejour Stadium in St. Lucia alight, against a bowling attack which was as potent as that
of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746. Pakistan ended up losing the game, but the fact that they got to a mammoth 191 in 20 overs, and took command of the match, was largely because of the Akmal brothers. Prior to that tournament, both Umar and Kamran had already cemented themselves
as permanent fixtures in the Pakistan line up, where Kamran had featured in two ICC World T20 tournaments.
Both brothers average nearly 26 in their T20 career and have strike rates above 100. These statistics clearly indicate that they perform more often than disappoint for their country. For spectators, it seems impossible to look away when they are playing
and performing with sheer talent, either with the bat or on the field. The latter fact is a rarity amongst contemporary Pakistani players. Whether it is with the willow in hand or with the gloves, both Akmal’s have performed admirably and taken some wonderful
catches as well. Similarly, Pakistan’s usually pregnable inner ring looks like a fortress when someone like Umar Akmal patrols through the covers. Some outstanding catches have also been snapped up by Kamran, when he truly concentrates on his wicket keeping.
For a team like Pakistan which tends to blow hot and cold on most occasions in the field, the prowess of the Akmal brothers is divinely ordained.
The land where the global fiesta takes place is Sri Lanka. It happens to be a happy hunting ground for both these players. Umar Akmal scored one of his first ODI hundreds in the island against a resurgent Sri Lankan team, and Kamran holds the distinction
of playing some sensational innings for his side against the very same opposition. Thus, Pakistan’s fragile batting line up gives due significance to the Akmal brothers, who would play a key role to ensure the smooth progression of the team in the tournament.
Continued in Part 2...
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