Kamran Akmal not competing with Sarfraz Ahmed
35-year-old wants to be considered on batting ability alone
Photo Courtesy: PSL
Recently concluded Pakistan Super League's player of the tournament Kamran Akmal has asked the selection committee to consider him solely on his batting performance and not as a competition for limited-overs captain Sarfraz Ahmed.
"I am not contending for the wicket-keeping slot with Sarfraz," said the eldest of the three Akmal brothers while addressing the press. "I want to be considered on my batting ability alone."
Akmal, who has been selected in the 25-member training camp for the tour of the West Indies, thanked the selectors but does feel that too much trust for in the past three years has put the team in a tight spot.
"There should be a blend of seniors and juniors," said Akmal. "Too much experimentation is why we have slumped to number eight in ODI rankings."
He, however, welcomed the current regime's decision to include him in the training camp and vowed to repay their faith.
"I will answer my critics in the only way I know: through my hard work and performances," said the 35-year-old. "I am not disappointed for being out of the team for so long. My age shouldn't be a problem either as long as I perform and with the examples set by veterans such as Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan."
While the PSL may have been a huge success, Akmal feels that an overabundance of T20 cricket at domestic cricket is proving to be counterproductive.
"Club cricket is dying because of T20 cricket," said Akmal. "If we want to improve the overall level of cricket we have to invest in domestic circuit. T20 is not going to help you with that. Look at what has happened in the recent past. We have stopped producing world class talent. Muhammad Amir is the last of that breed."
"I am not contending for the wicket-keeping slot with Sarfraz," said the eldest of the three Akmal brothers while addressing the press. "I want to be considered on my batting ability alone."
Akmal, who has been selected in the 25-member training camp for the tour of the West Indies, thanked the selectors but does feel that too much trust for in the past three years has put the team in a tight spot.
Kamran Akmal, Ahmad Shahzad called for training camp
"There should be a blend of seniors and juniors," said Akmal. "Too much experimentation is why we have slumped to number eight in ODI rankings."
He, however, welcomed the current regime's decision to include him in the training camp and vowed to repay their faith.
"I will answer my critics in the only way I know: through my hard work and performances," said the 35-year-old. "I am not disappointed for being out of the team for so long. My age shouldn't be a problem either as long as I perform and with the examples set by veterans such as Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan."
While the PSL may have been a huge success, Akmal feels that an overabundance of T20 cricket at domestic cricket is proving to be counterproductive.
"Club cricket is dying because of T20 cricket," said Akmal. "If we want to improve the overall level of cricket we have to invest in domestic circuit. T20 is not going to help you with that. Look at what has happened in the recent past. We have stopped producing world class talent. Muhammad Amir is the last of that breed."