Kamran needs a break from the game: Saleem Yousaf

Kamran Akmal has been advised to take a break from international cricket by former wicket-keeper Saleem Yousaf.

KARACHI: After a disappointing performance with both bat and the gloves, Kamran Akmal has been advised to take a break from international cricket by former Pakistan wicket-keeper Saleem Yousaf.

“I think Kamran is injured,” Yousaf told The Express Tribune. “He is chasing the ball in the seaming and overcast conditions. And if he is injured, he is forced to be on his toes before the ball even rises from the pitch.”

Kamran has been subject to a lot of criticism for his poor wicket-keeping, especially after he dropped four catches earlier this year in the second Test against Australia at Sydney, three of which paved  the way for Michael Hussey to score a match-winning century. His performance during the ongoing tour of England left a lot to be desired as well, where he dropped three easy chances of dislodging England’s pair of Eoin Morgan and Paul Collingwood, whose partnership took the game away from Pakistan.

“Flaws in Kamran’s wicket-keeping were already there but due to playing excessive cricket he didn’t get a chance to improve his keeping ability. I suggest he take a break to think over his mistakes,” added Yousaf, who played 32 Test matches and 86 One-Day Internationals from 1982 to 1990.

Kamran, whose batting ability has earned him preference over others, has been unable to impress with the bat either managing just 74 runs in six innings on the England tour.

“You cannot have a part-time keeper because one brilliant catch or stumping changes the course of the match. One dropped catch can cost you the game and can demoralise the bowler.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2010.