ISLAMABAD - Test discarded wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal is quite optimistic about his return in the national team in all the three formats.
Talking to The Nation, Kamran said: “My most recent performance in the Bank Albaraka T20 Cup 2014-15 is more than enough to justify my claim as I scored almost 200 runs in only five innings including two half centuries and also managed six dismissals behind the wickets. I was declared the best player of the event and also set new world record of the highest dismissals behind the wickets in T20 surpassing 150 mark, with Indian skipper Dhoni occupying second spot with 124 dismissals.”
Kamran said: “I just took part in the event to get match practice and help Lahore Lions in the best possible fashion in the absence of key players who are busy in Champions League. I must say our inexperienced team has done wonders, as it was consisted of the players who hardly got chances in the past to represent the regional team in the presence of top players.”
“I also went to America to play in two exhibition matches and reason was quite simple, that is I wanted to play as much as I can to remain at the top of my game and further enhance my physical fitness levels. I am training very hard under the watchful eyes of Abdul Majeed and also playing club cricket for Model Town Cricket Club. I am fully concentrating on both batting and keeping, and I think Pakistan team need an experienced wicketkeeper batsman like me, who could score some valuable runs and that too in a matter of time,” he added.
“It is quite hurting that I was once again ignored for selection in coming series against Australia at the neutral venues of UAE. I think, if I was given an opportunity, I could have played key role in helping green shirts inflict defeats on mighty Kangroos, as Pakistan team direly needs to bounce back after poor showing against Sri Lanka,” the wicketkeeper batsman said.
When asked about Umar Akmal's mixed performances in the recent past, Kamran held former head coach Dav Whatmore and captain Misbah responsible for putting extra pressure of wicketkeeping on him, which was the main reason behind his poor performances. “I think there must be a regular wicketkeeper in the squad and the top batsman like Umar must concentrate on his batting which could help him perform exceptionally. I strongly recommend the PCB and the selectors to use Umar as specialist batsman in ODIs and Test matches, as it is only way to help him perform well,” Kamran concluded.