ISLAMABAD - Test-discard wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has said that he is very disappointed over his non-selection in the three-match T20 series against Australia.
Talking to The Nation, Kamran said: “I am suffering at the hands of PCB and selectors for a long time, as they gave chances to almost all the players in the tri-series against Zimbabwe and recently-concluded Asia Cup in UAE, but I wasn’t considered despite performing exceptionally in domestic circuit.
“I, along with former captain Salman Butt, deserve not only a place in the national team but also a recall in the Test squad, as we have scored loads of runs. Look at our records in domestic cricket and different leagues, I am the top most scorer and also a leading wicketkeeper,” he added.
He said he had time and again requested the PCB and chief selector to consider him as a specialist batsman. “I am ready to play at any position, like I am doing for my department Wapda in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where I am playing as a batsman.”
The wicketkeeper batsman said he was very optimistic ever since former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq took over the PCB as chief selector, as he always buck him up and talent. “I have a gut feeling and eager to get justice. I have been working very hard for the last two years on my fitness as well as on my wicket-keeping. If, according to some critics, I am not a good wicketkeeper, even then I doing my best as batsman and can bat any given number and help the team score crucial victories.
“I am amazed to see the players, who have minor performances in T20 cricket or in Pakistan Super League, are playing one-day as well as Test cricket. Who is going to seek explanation from the PCB and why they are treating us like aliens, why this step-motherly treatment has been continued unabated to me and my brother Umar Akmal, while M Asif, Salman Butt and a number of top performers in domestic cricket have been suffering, what are the performances of many of the players, who are being selected for the national team.”
He said that it is quite astonishing that the PCB at one end, doesn’t select him and on the other hand, they are not ready to issue NOC to me for playing in Afghanistan Premier League. “The PCB wants me to announce retirement first, then they will issue NOC. Why should I retire if I am playing the best cricket of my life? It is my right to play cricket wherever I am fit and performing.
“I request PCB chairman Ehsan Mani to look into the injustices being rendered to me and other deserving players. I also hope that chief selector Inzamam will fully check the performances of the players, before announcing the squads. I also request Prime Minister Imran Khan to provide justice to me and other players and seek explanation from the PCB for depriving deserving and top-performing players of their due right,” Kamran concluded.
