TRINIDAD - Former Pakistan wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal is seeking the remind Pakistan cricket and the world of his abilities when he links up with the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) action later this month.
The 33-year-old Akmal, who has played 143 domestic T20 matches in his career so far, was selected in CPL draft by the Red Steel as the wicketkeeper after the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots franchise snapped up Nicholas Pooran.
“I am very excited to play in CPL for the first time in a team that includes players such as the Bravo brothers (Dwayne and Darren) and Jacques Kallis and I aim to impress Inshallah (if Allah wills it),” said Akmal, who has also represented Pakistan in 53 Tests, 154 one-day internationals and 54 T20s.
“Having spoken to coach (Simon) Helmot, we have a clear understanding of the role I’m expected to play in (the) team.” Helmot is buoyed by the presence of Akmal and believes he will add a cutting edge to the Red Steel. “Kamran is an experienced international player and he is one of the guys we are banking on to be a real impact player for us. Whether it’s behind the stumps ‘keeping to the spinners or his ability to make quick runs batting anywhere in the top four,” stated Helmot.
During his 12-year international career, Akmal toured the West Indies and also competed in the 2007 50 overs World Cup and 2012 T20 World Cup. He believes that with conditions in the Caribbean in recent years similar to the Pakistan and sub-continent surfaces that he grew up on, it will propel him to performances similar to that of his countryman Shoaib Malik last year for Barbados Trident and hopefully catch the eyes of Pakistan selectors. “Shoaib (Malik) showed last year that doing well in CPL will make Pakistani selectors look at you, so I’m hoping to perform well to remind them of my abilities in such a high profile tournament Inshallah.”