Editorial

Lessons from defeat

Kamran Akmal has to be dropped. The wicket keeper, in name if not deed, was the chief villain in our heavy loss.

Editorial March 10, 2011

Lessons from defeat

It has been said before, including in these editorial pages, and needs to be repeated: Kamran Akmal has to be dropped from the Pakistan cricket team. The wicketkeeper, in name if not deed, was the chief villain in our heavy loss to the Kiwis. He dropped centurion and man of the match Ross Taylor twice, once when he lazily refused to make an attempt to catch the ball when Taylor had yet to score and then, just two balls later, when he dropped the simplest of chances. At this point, Akmal’s continued presence in the team is a mystery on par with all the unexplained political assassinations in Pakistan. The equation is simple: If Pakistan is to win the World Cup, Akmal has to go.

The shoddy performance against the Kiwis has confirmed that there are a couple of other changes that need to be made. Abdul Razzaq, who scored a half-century but gave away nearly 12 runs an over, is in the team as a batsman, not a bowler. Yet he continues to bat at number eight in the order. He needs to be moved up a place or two, Shahid Afridi needs to open the batting and Wahab Riaz needs to be brought in to bolster the bowling attack. This will require Afridi to operate out his comfort zone but as the skipper that is his duty to the team.

These changes aside, now is not the time to be panicking. Just a week ago, this same team was being feted for defeating Sri Lanka. The format of the World Cup is such that we are allowed the occasional slip up. Qualification to the quarter-finals is still all but guaranteed. Sure, losing to New Zealand, a team we usually beat, was unexpected. But the Pakistani team should use this as a wake-up call to put in more consistent performances for the remainder of the tournament. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done. Pakistani cricket teams are as suited to consistency as Akmal is to wicket keeping. If we progress further in the World Cup, it is going to be a bumpy and exhilarating ride.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (11)

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Why would they kick out a cash cow? You see, my friends, making money in the cricket business - as proven earlier by the three stooges - is a combined effort. The board, and perhaps even random ministers who have nothing to do with sports - are involved. Kamran is a cash cow who has time and again delivered. The cash cow will stay.

khan | 13 years ago | Reply salaam INSHALLAH we will win next game. theres a lot going on in pakistan cricket games at moment. kamran akmal is very good cricket player, i know he drop some key catches behind the stump, but his very quality player for pakistan, we cant afford to drop him, his the only player can produce good games behind the stump cos his always encouraging players to ball in good area, he also player u can relay on to batting performance.pakistan team need to bring him to open for them, his very fine player when he opens. captain needs to bring Abdul razzaq in top order no4 cos he can play in middle overs he can score very quick runs for pakistan. i believe they should bring junid khan is surprice package.he still hasn't play any cricket world cup so far. he should play next game against zambabwe see how he is.INSHALLAH hope pakistan play well in next game.go pakistan zindabaad

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Toobaa | 13 years ago | Reply We may not like Kamran Akmal. He may be a bad cricketer, But guess what? He was selected. And now he gets to play - he gets to complete his term. You can't just kick people out when they have a bad day, If he was selected on bad terms than the system must be held accountable - not Kamran Akmal. He is after all, going out in to the field and doing his best. If this in not enough - it is not his fault but the fault of the trainers, coaches, selecters and captaiin. He is as much a victim as Pakistani "fans" claim to be. Stating that "At this point, Akmal’s continued presence in the team is a mystery on par with all the unexplained political assassinations in Pakistan." is an insult to the men who were kllled. Why is it that men must die before we are willing to show them a shred of respect? Kamram Akmal was selected and he is playing his best. I respect him for this. If the Pakistan team loses it is not because he let them down but because THEY let HIM down. They misplaced him and made him a laughing stock. Poorly played, Express Tribune.

Laila | 13 years ago | Reply He dropped centurion and man of the match Ross Taylor twice? Was he supposed to catch the man or the balls?

Umair | 13 years ago | Reply I don't understand why our captain, coach and team management are afraid of making drastic changes in the currently playing team? They still have two more games to experiment new formation. We can experiment different team formations like: Batting Order: Afridi or Razzaq Hafeez Younus Khan Misbah Asad Shafiq Umar Akmal (wicket keeper) Razzaq or Afridi Bowlers: Umar Gul Shoaib Akhter Wahab Riaz or Junaid Khan or Abdul Rehman Saeed Ajmal

Mirza | 13 years ago | Reply What lessons? If we were learning any lessons from our past mistakes we would not be in the shape we are in Pakistan. Here is what is going to happen: We would continue with Akmal family no matter what. In any other country they would have been treated as "radio active". We can blame the bowlers but if the WK is not catching, stumping and helping in the run outs no bowler can be successful. Kamran Akmal should be flogged for ending Shoaib Akhater's brilliant record on the worst possible note. Only in Pakistan we persist with a WK who drops more catches then actually holding on! Mirza, USA

Noman Nasir | 13 years ago | Reply Surely, its a wake up call as far as batting order and put in an extra bowler in. But its not the right time to drop Akmal now because there is no other specialist keeper in the side and giving this tough responsibility to a make shift keeper means that you will spoil your world cup campaign even further, so like every one is saying that we shouldn't be panic need to focus on the game.

Arshad Nabi | 13 years ago | Reply strange ! Kamran Akmal granted Central Contract Class A - He should be penalized for intended negligences

jack | 13 years ago | Reply sometimes best way to get rid of people is to promote them..I think Kamran Akmal should be promoted to chairmain PCB

Sania | 13 years ago | Reply Everyone's beating up on Akmal. Yes, he should not have dropped those easy catches but Pakistan did not even come close to chasing the runs target set by New Zealand.

Kashif Muhammed | 13 years ago | Reply i agree with dis article ,but do u thing they will follow this simple common sense changes which we required desperately , GOD know ,GOD bless us all ,amen

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