‘I’m ready for the challenge'

Pakistan’s latest wicket-keeper Salman geared up to replace Kamran Akmal.

LAHORE:

Pakistan’s latest addition in place of Kamran Akmal is ready to take on the mantle of the team’s wicket-keeping role as they embark on a tour to the West Indies this month. The 29-year-old Mohammad Salman said this was the perfect opportunity to justify his selection and heal Pakistan’s wicket-keeping wounds.

Akmal, who was dropped after a poor World Cup, which saw him drop catches and miss stumping chances in crucial matches, has been replaced by brother Adnan Akmal, Zulqarnain Haider and Sarfraz Ahmed in recent times. His World Cup hit a low during the match against New Zealand, which Pakistan lost by 111 runs, where he dropped a sitter off the bowling of Shoaib Akhtar.

However, Salman was up for the challenge as he steps into Akmal’s shoes.

“I don’t believe on setting up a long-term goal,” Salman told The Express Tribune. “My immediate objective is to justify my limited-overs cricket selection.

“I understand the timing of my selection and I’m extremely privileged to be given the important responsibility.”

Wicket-keeper’s dual role in limited-overs cricket

Salman, a graduate in economics, also understands the role of the wicket-keeper in limited-over cricket with Australia’s Adam Gilchrist, Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka and Indian MS Dhoni being more than just flawless behind the stumps. But Salman, yet to make his international debut, is aware of the dual role.

“Cricket has changed, especially with the popularity of the Twenty20 format. A wicket-keeper is not only supposed to be sound behind the stumps but also needs to play a huge role with his batting abilities.”

Improved batting abilities

Salman, who has played 103 first-class matches at an average of 26.63, caught the selectors’ eye in the recent season where he had 30 dismissals in 11 games and hit three hundreds.

“Realising the fact that a wicket-keeper has to perform a dual role, I had to improve my batting ability,” said Salman, who was born in Karachi but moved to Faisalabad at the age of 10.

‘I can handle the pressure at the international level’

Salman also said that at the international level, one had to handle pressure to do well. “I think the only difference between domestic cricket and playing internationally is the pressure.

“If you look around, the players who have been outstanding in their careers are those who can handle the pressure at the big stage.”

Salman said that he was happy he did not get selected earlier as he might not have been ready to play on the international level then.

“I may have regretted if I had started playing in the international arena at a premature age. I believe that chances of under-performing are much higher if you make your debut at an early age,” said Salman.

Cheema replaced by Hussain

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has replaced Aizaz Cheema with another fast-bowler Sadaf Hussain for the limited-overs squad for the West Indies tour. Cheema, who was injured during his last first-class match for Punjab in the Pentangular Cup, was reluctant to undergo a fitness test and was therefore sidelined for the tour.

Cheema bowled eight overs in that match before pulling his abdominal muscle. He missed the next game of the tournament.

His replacement Hussain was the highest wicket-taker in the domestic season with 64 and has taken 90 in just 18 first- class games.



Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2011.