Pakistan will have home advantage: Kamran

Kamran Akmal believes his side has a home advantage that can help offset the competition set by South Africa in UAE.

LAHORE: Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal believes his side has a home advantage in the UAE that can help offset the tough competition set by South Africa in the upcoming series that takes place later this month.

Pakistan will be playing a ‘home’ series against the Proteas comprising two Twenty20s, five One-Day Internationals and two Tests in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“South Africa’s the second best Test team in the world and playing against them is always tough,” Akmal told reporters. “But conditions in the UAE are definitely more like Pakistan and that will help us counter the opponents.

“However, despite the advantage we may have, we have to play our natural game and play positive.

“South Africa’s a very good side but once we play according to the coaches’ and captain’s plan, we could definitely set up a tough challenge.”

Akmal, 28, has been under pressure following fixing allegations on the tour of England. The wicketkeeper acknowledged that despite the added pressure from Pakistan’s previous tour - of England - the team will be determined to overcome that by performing on the field.

“Our England tour wasn’t good and there’s a lot of pressure. However, our confidence level is high and despite what happened in England, my focus is only to play cricket for the country,” added Akmal who confirmed that he was facing a minor fitness problem but was working hard to recover with the help of the National Cricket Academy coaches in Lahore.

Pakistan’s chief selector Mohsin Khan remained concerned about replacing the suspended trio of Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt for the South Africa series.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2010.