I’m afraid of Adnan, admits Kamran Akmal

Pakistan wicket-keeper says his place in team is threatened most by brother.

KARACHI:

Pakistan have tested various wicket-keepers like Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Salman but the experienced glovesman Kamran Akmal has regained his place in the national team and to an extent, even cemented it.

For selectors, Kamran, who has the highest number of victims behind the stumps in the all-time list of Pakistan wicket-keepers, is the best choice for limited-overs cricket because of his versatile batting that gives him an edge over others.

The 31-year old, who has over 400 victims in all formats at the international level, says he is not concerned about other candidates except for his brother, Adnan Akmal.

“It’s my brother Adnan who I am afraid of,” the wicket-keeper told ESPNcricinfo. “He has shown glimpses of being a good wicket-keeper-batsman.

“The role of a wicket-keeper has been extended now. The selectors are looking at picking a wicket-keeper who can bat well.”

‘Isolation from Tests gives sense of emptiness’

Meanwhile, Kamran who is no longer a preference for Test cricket said he misses the longer version badly.

“This is the format that gives you ample time to express yourself and your abilities.

“There is always a sense of emptiness without playing Test cricket. I have delivered in the past in the format and I’m eager to do it again.”

Kamran said the infamous Sydney Test in 2010 changed the direction of his career where he missed various chances that lead the team to defeat from a strong position.

“I always insisted that it was purely a day of bad luck, and it can happen with every player, any day, any time, in any match.

“It was surely among the worst days of my career — nothing I did was going my way. I crumbled under pressure.

“I had a sense of loneliness, and those missed chances were uppermost in my head. Obviously everyone was disappointed. I was disappointed because we had a great chance to beat Australia on their home soil.

“It is the biggest regret of my career so far. I always wish I could go back in the past to change it but it’s something you have to take with you throughout your life. It really shook my confidence.”

To a query, Kamran, who for many has ‘buttery fingers’, said he never counts his dropped catches.

“Dropping one always puts extra pressure, so you quickly have to bring yourself back into the game and think ahead instead of counting or remembering them.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2013.