Tag: Kamran Akmal

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Kamran Akmal pinpointed technical flaws in star batter Babar Azam’s batting technique amid his rough patch across formats.

Pakistan’s ace batter Babar has been under tight scrutiny due to his below-par performances recently, the highlight of which was his dismal run in the two-match home Test series against Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Kamran Akmal in an interview with a local sports platform, termed Babar Azam still the best batter of the country before highlighting technical errors in his batting recently.

“I still believe Babar is Pakistan’s number one batter. Every player goes through a rough patch. But even then, you have to play according to the situation, and you have to survive the tough times,” Akmal said.

Akmal then claimed to have noticed a regular error made by Babar in the early phase of his knocks, stating that the right-handed batter seems unsure of his off-stump.

“What I noticed in this Test series is that early on, when he comes to bat, he plays so shakily that he seems unsure of where his off-stump is, and his leg stump gets exposed from behind. Balls that should be played towards cover are being played straight, and the bat doesn’t go towards the ball’s direction,” Akmal stated.

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Kamran Akmal was of the view that the flaws in Babar Azam’s batting technique arose due to his recent struggles.

“There’s a difference in his technique because his performance isn’t up to the mark, and the pressure is increasing. He needs to fix these small things because this isn’t Babar’s standard,” said Akmal.

“Babar made his name through his performance. Now, Babar needs to perform, or else he might lose his place in the Test team,” he concluded.

READ: “I wouldn’t let him come near the team,” Kamran Akmal blasts Pakistan batter

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal lashed out at batting prodigy Saim Ayub after the national Test team’s humiliating loss against Bangladesh.

The Green Shirts succumbed to a 2-0 loss in the two-match series against Bangladesh, which culminated at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Bangladesh outclassed Pakistan by six wickets in the second Test to complete the clean sweep. The touring side had won the first Test thumpingly by 10 wickets.

Saim Ayub scored 135 runs in the series, including two half-centuries, however, Kamran Akmal expressed his disappointment over Saim’s casual dismissal in the first innings of the second Test. The left-handed batter was stumped out after scoring a gutsy 58.

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“Honestly, if I were in charge, I swear I wouldn’t let Saim come near the team for the next two years after getting out like he did in the first innings of the second Test,” Akmal said during an interview with local sports website.

The former batter also raised questions over opening batter Abdullah Shafique’s performance throughout the series.

“Abdullah Shafique, as you can see, is a specialist opener. Whether it’s the first ball or not, cricket has become so fast-paced that runs are expected right from the start,” he added.

“You can see that our approach is totally different; we’re not playing the cricket of the ’90s or ’80s. If a player like Abdullah Shafique isn’t scoring runs against such teams, then I think it’s a worrying sign, both for Abdullah and for Pakistan.”

READ: Nida Dar congratulates India two months after T20 World Cup triumph

Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been under fire for his recent performances and former Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal has questioned his commitment to the national team.

Hasaranga, who is the number one all-rounder in ICC Men’s T20I All-Rounder rankings,  had a dismal outing in the ongoing series against India.

During the first two games, he managed only two wickets and returned with a golden duck and a three-ball two.

Kamran Akmal did not mince his words while criticizing Wanindu Hasaranga as he raised concern over the star all-rounders’ seriousness while playing for Sri Lanka.

“You’ve been the captain and are a match-winner. But look how he’s batted and bowled. His attitude doesn’t look serious on the field,” Akmal stated.

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The former wicketkeeper also urged Hasaranga to show the same level of commitment to the national team as he displays in the franchise leagues.

“We have seen him give everything in LPL and IPL. You need to have the same commitment while playing for your nation as well,” he added.

Meanwhile, another former Pakistan batter Basit Ali also echoed the similar opinion, stating that Hasaranga considers himself bigger than the game.

“Number one all-rounder, Wanindu Hasaranga. I think he has become bigger than cricket. Cricket is small, he is big,” Basit said.

“He got out on the first ball by playing a poor shot. With the ball, he was taken to the cleaners by Suryakumar Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal,” he added.

Sri Lanka have lost the three-match T20I series against India after suffering two defeats in the first two games, with the last match scheduled later today.

READ: Pakistan U19 skipper inspired by Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed the appointment of former Pakistan cricketers Kamran Akmal, Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Salman Butt as consultant members to chief selector Wahab Riaz.

The three have assumed their responsibilities in the selection panel with immediate effect.

Their first assignment as consultant members to the chief selector includes the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, set to commence on 12 January 2024 following the conclusion of the Test tour to Australia.

When not engaged in selection duties, the consultant members may be assigned additional tasks such as conducting skills camps.

Kamran Akmal, in a 15-year career from 2002 to 2017, played 53 Tests, 157 ODIs and 58 T20Is.

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The former wicketkeeper-batter amassed 6,871 runs across formats and bagged 453 dismissals behind the stumps.

He was a member of the Pakistan team that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 at Lord’s, along with his fellow consultants Rao Iftikhar and Salman Butt.

Rao Iftikhar played a Test, 62 ODIs and two T20Is from 2004 to 2010 and took a total of 78 international wickets.

Former Test captain Salman Butt represented Pakistan in 33 Tests, 78 ODIs and 24 T20Is.

He made 5,209 runs spanning the three formats with 11 international centuries.

Notably, former fast bowler Wahab Riaz was appointed as the chief selector of the national men’s selection committee last month.

Wahab Riaz in his first assignment selected Pakistan’s 18-member Test squad for the three-match Test series against Australia from 14 December to 7 January in Australia.

Wahab, who made his international debut in 2008, represented Pakistan in 27 Tests, 91 ODIs and 36 T20Is picking up 237 wickets and scoring 1200 runs across the three formats.

He was Pakistan’s second-most successful bowler in World Cups, registering 35 wickets across three editions of the marquee event.

READ: India announce three different captains for multi-format South Africa series

KARACHI: Former cricketer Kamran Akmal backed Babar Azam’s decision to resign as Pakistan’s all-format captain on Friday during a private event at Rashid Latif Cricket Academy.

Kamran Akmal, while talking to the media praised Babar Azam for his decision, and also showed faith in the newly appointed Test captain Shan Masood.

“Babar has made a very good decision to quit captaincy in all formats,” said the former wicket-keeper.

“Shan Masood has the potential to lead Pakistan. We have a new captain, but the core players are the same, we should perform at our best.”

Upon being asked about getting a role in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), he clarified that the board has made no contact with him, however, he expressed his desire to work at the grassroot level and help develop players in age-group cricket.

“I haven’t been contact by the board [PCB]. Yes, I want to work for Pakistan, but do not want to be directly associated with the Pakistan team,” said the former wicketkeeper.

“I want to work at the grassroot level and with the age group cricket teams,” he added.

Kamran Akmal also shed light on the importance of domestic cricket and urged that the best performers in domestic cricket should be given the opportunity in the national team.

“I have been saying this for the last five or six years, that players should play more domestic cricket,” said Akmal.

“Earlier, a player used to be selected in the Pakistan team after playing two to three domestic seasons, but things have changed now.”

“Players who regularly perform in domestic cricket should be given maximum opportunities,” he further added.

Kamran Akmal has represented Pakistan in 53 Test, 58 T20I and 157 ODI matches, scoring over 6000 runs across three formats.

READ: “Together we will strive,” Mohammed Hafeez looks ahead to Team Director role

KARACHI: Kamran Akmal called Shoaib Akhtar’s controversial remarks about star Pakistan batter Babar Azam and the team, a stunt to stay in the headlines.

Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar stirred a controversy when he made a below-the-belt attack on Pakistan captain Babar and company regarding their presentation and oratory skills in a recent interview given to a private news channel.

“You can see there’s no character in the team, nor do they know how to talk. How awkward it looks when they come to the presentation.” Akhtar had said.

“How difficult is it to learn and speak English?” he taunted.

“Babar is the biggest brand in Pakistan but why he hasn’t become the biggest brand of Pakistan? Because he cannot speak.”

The vexing remarks passed by Akhar, nicknamed Rawalpindi Express, annoyed the cricket fans and former cricketers alike.

Speaking at the ARY News program Har Lambha Pujosh on Tuesday, former wicket-keeper batter Kamran gave a befitting response to his ex-teammate, saying it is unfair of Akhtar to talk about Babar’s presentation since he is doing more advertisements than the former had done in his career.

“I think Shoaib was not getting enough time on screen, that’s why he has said such a thing to keep himself in the headlines,” Akmal said.

“Babar is our captain. He is the top-ranked batter in the world.”

“He is improving day by day as far as his speaking and media handling is concerned. In fact, the number of ads he is doing right now is no match to what Shoaib Akhtar does”

“His (Babar’s) main job is to play cricket and he is remarkable in it. It’s not reasonable to criticize him for the other things” he concluded.

READ: Dominant England deny Pakistan consolation win in Women’s T20 WC

KARACHI: Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal has announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket. 

Akmal, who is currently serving as a temporary batting consultant for Peshawar Zalmi, said he would no longer be part of the Pakistan Super League as a player in order to shift focus to newer roles.

Recently, the 41-year-old was also named chairman of the selection committee constituted by the PCB to conduct U13, U16 and U19 trials for the selection of regional and district teams.

“I will not be able to play cricket anymore because of my new responsibilities as a selector and a coach,” he said while talking to the media on Tuesday.

Akmal, who last represented the national side in April 2017, with his latest announcement called time on both his international as well as domestic career.

The right-handed batter gathered 6871 runs across formats during his international career spanning around 15 years. He has six Test and five ODI centuries to his name.

He is also the PSL’s second highest-run getter with 1972 runs in 74 innings. He has scored three centuries, the most by any batter in the league.

READ: Kamran Akmal retires from all forms of cricket

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday, constituted an eight-member selection committee under the chairmanship of former Test wicketkeeper batter Kamran Akmal which will conduct U13, U16 and U19 trials for the selection of regional and district teams.

Besides Akmal, the newly-constituted selection committee includes Sohail Tanvir, Amir Nazir, Taimoor Khan, Junaid Khan, Faisal Athar, Qaisar Abbas and Sanaullah Baloch.

In a statement, released by the PCB, the cricket governing body shared that each selector, alongside the regional/district head coach, will conduct the trials of the aforementioned age brackets as per the schedule.

“Each selector, along with the head coach of the region/district, will conduct trials according to the schedule, which will be announced in due course,” stated PCB.

It is worth mentioning here that Akmal represented Pakistan in 268 matches, while Sohail Tanvir played 121 matches for the country.

Furthermore, Amir Nazir played six Tests and nine ODIs from 1993 to 1995, Junaid Khan appeared in 107 international matches for Pakistan, Faisal Athar played in an ODI in 2003 and Qaiser Abbas played in a Test against England in 2000. Sanaullah Baloch and Taimoor Khan are former first-class cricket.

READ: Amir equals Afridi’s record in BPL

KARACHI: Experienced wicketkeeper batter Kamran Akmal on Tuesday, confirmed to have parted ways with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi.

Akmal, himself, confirmed the development on his YouTube channel Catch and Bat with Kamran Akmal as he revealed that the newly-appointed head coach of Zalmi Darren Sammy informed him about the franchise’s decision of not to retain him ahead of the player draft.

“I am not part of Peshawar Zalmi anymore. Head Coach Darren Sammy informed me that Peshawar Zalmi will not retain me for PSL 8,” said Akmal.

“I will be available for selection in the draft of PSL 8 now, though. Let’s see which franchise picks me,” he continued.

The wicketkeeper batter then took to his Twitter and express gratitude to Zalmi’s management for their continued support throughout the journey.

“Goodbyes are always hard..it has been a wonderful 7 years journey with [Peshawar Zalmi],” Akmal wrote.

“Thanks for always supporting me in my hard times in my highs and lows. I am and always will be grateful to u all for believing in me. Special thanks [Javed Afridi, Muhammad Akram, Darren Sammy and Wahab Riaz],” the statement added.

Goodbyes are always hard..it has been a wonderful 7 years journey with @PeshawarZalmi Thanks for always supporting me in my hard times in my highs and lows.i am and i always will be grateful to u all for believing in me.Special thanks @JAfridi10 M.Akram @darensammy88 @WahabViki

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) November 1, 2022

The right-handed batter is the second-highest run-scorer in PSL history, with 1972 runs in 75 matches at an average of 27.38 and a strike rate of 136.94.

Akmal has the most number of centuries by any batter in the league (3) and also the most number of dismissals (62) to his name.

It is pertinent to mention that Akmal had also announced to withdraw from the PSL 7 over category demotion but later continued to represent the former champions after a successful dialogue with Zalmi’s coach and director cricket Muhammad Akram.

READ: Jaffer accompanies as Bangladesh U19 team reaches Pakistan 

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan opined regarding India’s refusal to tour Pakistan for next year’s Asia Cup and advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take a strong stance on this matter.

During Tuesday’s episode of Har Lamha Purjosh – ARY News’ famous cricketing show, host Waseem Badami asked former cricketers Younis and Kamran Akmal to comment on the statement of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah, who is also the president of Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

In response, both former cricketers unanimously suggested that the PCB should take a strong stance on this matter and should stick to hosting the tournament regardless of India’s participation.

“I think Jay Shah should not have said that but since the bullet has been fired I would ask the PCB to take a firm stance on this issue, just like we did in the past [after New Zealand called off Pakistan’s tour at the eleventh hour] and as you know those teams have begun to tour the country,” said Younis.

“But if they [BCCI] decide to stick with their decision then it should not matter to us if the Indian team does not participate in Asia Cup and we should consider not travelling to India for the ODI World Cup the following year, nor we should agree to host Asia Cup at a neutral venue,” he maintained.

Kamran, on the other hand, echoed Younis’ comments and demanded a boycott of all matches against India, including their eagerly anticipated ICC T20 World Cup 2022 matches, which is set to take place on Sunday (October 23).

“I believe Jay Shah’s statement was unexpected, and since he attended the Pakistan-India game during this year’s Asia Cup, he should reserve politics for his opposition and avoid dragging it into sports,” Kamran said.

“Asia Cup should only be hosted in Pakistan and if that does not happen then Pakistan should not play against India at any level, be it ICC events’ matches, Asia Cup matches, or even their match on October 23,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention that following the 91st BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, Shah, in his statement, announced that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023, while also hinting to host the continental event at a neutral venue.

READ: PCB writes to ACC after India refuses to tour Pakistan for Asia Cup