I still have 3-4 years of cricket left in me, says Kamran Akmal

Wicketkeeper-batsman talks PSL form, comeback in national team

Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi’s opener Kamran Akmal thinks he still has three to four years of cricket left in him and the day he feels he’s unable to perform, he will quit.

Kamran, while talking to ESPNcricinfo, said that he has had a respected career and would want to retire with the same stature.

“My fitness and form do allow me to play cricket for the next three to four years,” said Kamran. “And when I see that I am not performing I will leave silently. No one will have to force me to. I have had a respectful career and would want to retire with the same respect.”

He continued by admitting that cricket is his life and he lays out short term plans for himself to stay focused.

“It is my passion to play cricket,” said Kamran. “Cricket is my life. I learn everyday about cricket. I try to learn as much as possible from my seniors. I try to focus on what is right in front of me and plan match by match. If I think too much about an upcoming event or series, it affects my current performance.”

And why does he follow this strategy? He answers: “All the good players with whom I played with always remained focused on the current match or the series and never planned too much for the future. So I try to follow the same rule.”

On fastest fifty against Karachi

Kamran scored his second century of the PSL in the third edition, but the innings that caught everyone’s eye was the one against Karachi when he thrashed the Kings’ bowlers for a quick-fire 77 off 27 balls, also scoring the fastest fifty of the tournament off just 17 deliveries in the process.

When asked what the knock means for him, Kamran said: “Fortunately, I played a good knock at the right time. It was almost like a semi-final for us. It was a do-or-die match. Things went our way and the credit goes to the entire team and the management.”

And what has been his secret recipe for success in the past few years? Kamran says it is nothing but efficient planning.

“I plan properly before every tournament. I prepare according to the upcoming fixtures and play club cricket while focusing on areas that I need to work on for team’s benefit. This way things fall into place. I have worked on my fitness as well. I got an injury after a long period of time. I had pulled my hamstring and my neck was stiff, but my physio deserves credit for helping me get onto the field,” he explained.

On being dropped after WI tour

Kamran’s PSL2 exploits earned him a place on the tour of West Indies, but he was later dropped from the squad and he believes such things motivate him even more to perform better.

“You need to go through a lot of struggle in order to make comebacks,” he said. “The last comeback I made was after three years. I keep on trying. Every cricketer wants to play for his national side.”

He continued: “I was hurt when I was dropped after the West Indies series. I was the second highest scorer in T20s, after Babar [Azam]. I wasn’t picked, everyone was still there. So, these things hurt me, but I also take them as motivation. All focus is directed towards cricket and nothing else. I only know how to deliver in the ground.”