The national selection committee thinks Umar Akmal has justified his inclusion in the limited over formats as a wicket-keeper batsman. PHOTO: AFP
The 23-year -old middle-order batsman was handed the gloves on the tour of the West Indies earlier this year after several regular wicket-keepers failed to cement their place.
Pakistan is missing a specialist wicket-keeper since Kamran Akmal – possessing the highest number of dismissals (over 400 in all formats) – lost his batting touch.
The selection committee tested various wicket-keepers including brother Adnan Akmal and Sarfraz Ahmed. However, they did not give selectors the desired result.
The committee is happy with Umar despite his wicket-keeping ability drawing divided opinion from experts.
In the last 14 One-Day Internationals, Umar has registered 25 dismissals (17 catches and 8 stumping) besides scoring 326 runs at an average of over 29.
Akmal’s batting performance in Twenty20 is slightly better as he has made 219 runs from nine innings at an average of over 31 since the West Indies tour.
‘Selectors, team officials satisfied’
A selector recalled when Umar was given the dual role the idea was to groom him like South Africa’s AB de Villiers.
“As a wicket-keeper he is doing a fine job,” stated a selector content with Umar’s performance behind the stumps so far.
“The team management also appears satisfied as we haven’t received any request for replacement since he was selected for keeping.”
Not denying the criticism heaped on the youngest Akmal the selector defended Umar saying that the keeper needs to concentrate more on his batting where improvement is required.
He added that with Umar in the team, they have an option to select an extra batsman to fortify the batting line-up. “After his induction as a wicket-keeper, Umar has emerged as a cushion before our tail. We believe he is on track to fulfill what we had hoped for.”
Meanwhile, the selector informed The Express Tribune that the team management has not sought any player to fill the 16th spot for the UAE bound squad.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2013.
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It costing him & Pakistan his batting skills. There is no justification to send a speciallist batsman at 6 or 7 number. So, he has to sacrifice his batting number. Which is not a good idea. He must be send at no.4 or 5.Where he has all the liberty to perform.
Hopefully Umar will do better with bat as well as gloves. This young boy has the spark to do it. Nowadays we can see many makeshift wicketkeepers like AB, Sangakkara etc. For Umar one this is missing, his batting number is way down. For better results he should bat on upper numbers like AB and Sanga.
Need a replacement for Umar he will cost us in tough situation with gloves.
I have feeling Umar Akmal will miss a chance on big stage may be Worldcup.
I have no doubt, umar akmal can do it
OMG. Joke of the year. Three umar akmals combine will fail to match AB