http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kamran-Akmal-c1760 may open the innings for Pakistan - ICC World Cup 2011
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi hinted that wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal might open the innings in the team’s next match of the ICC World Cup 2011, against Australia. The veteran keeper is likely to replace youngster Ahmed Shahzad, who hasn’t been in the best of forms in the mega event so far.
Afridi stated, “Ahmed is a talented kid but he has not really learnt from his mistakes. We have been showing faith in his abilities but Ahmed has failed to give us a single good start and now we are thinking about going into the match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 with a new opening pair.”
The flamboyant player further added that the best replacement of Ahmed would be the experienced Kamran Akmal, who has represented his team as an opener in the past and also scored runs.
Earlier, Kamran was all set to miss the match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Akmal-c2720 was tipped as his replacement behind the stumps.
However, fortune favoured the elder Akmal, as Umar sustained a couple of injuries before the game against Zimbabwe. This ruled the youngster out of the match and Kamran was given yet another opportunity.
The struggling keeper did well behind the stumps and took, possibly the most crucial catch, of the dangerous Zimbabwean batsman, Brendan Taylor.
However, luck didn’t favour http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 coach Waqar Younis was not pleased with the way Ahmed threw his wicket away; the player got stumped in an attempt to hit the ball out of the ground.
Waqar said, “It was a rash shot from Shehzad. It wasn’t really required at the time. But don’t forget he is a youngster; he is only 21 and brand new in this arena.”
Even though the men-in-green didn’t get off to an ideal start, another World Cup debutant http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Asad-Shafiq-c1093 played sensible cricket, and guided his side to a seven wicket win.
Asad’s knock of an unbeaten 78 ensured Pakistan of a place in the quarterfinals, and Afridi praised the performance of the youngster. The Pakistan captain also stated that the promising youngster would continue to bat at number three for the team in the remainder of the tournament.
Pakistan will next play Australia in their last match of Group A, on Saturday, the 19th of March. It will be an important game for both teams, as the outcome will determine their quarter-final opponents.
The Kangaroos are unbeaten in their previous 33 World Cup matches, and they are likely to better that record to 34, when they face http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canada-c748 in today’s match. However, their record will come under threat in the match against Pakistan, as the men-in-green can prove to be a very tough team to beat on their day.
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