Kamran hopeful of return despite snub

KARACHI: Despite being overlooked for the Test series against South Africa, wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal remains hopeful of making his international return via good performance in the ongoing domestic season.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided against recalling Kamran, who struck a century in the second round of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, for the series starting in Dubai, and instead opted for his younger brother Adnan Akmal as the replacement for Zulqarnain Haider who announced his retirement  on fears of safety.

Kamran, who was omitted from the UAE-bound squad following a minor surgery after the tour of England, was not dejected after being overlooked.

“I feel very happy to see Adnan winning a Test cap,” Kamran told The Express Tribune. “It is a great honour for me and I am delighted by his call-up. He is a hardworking cricketer and I always admired his wicket-keeping abilities.”

Kamran, however, said he would continue to strive to regain his place in the squad.“I am working hard in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy in order to impress the selectors. However, it’s not about the competition with my brother. The one who performs better will get a call for the national team. All three of us got our chances purely on merit.”

Kamran was also happy to see Umar Akmal return to form with a half-century in the decisive ODI against South Africa. “Every cricketer goes through a bad patch which does not last for long and I think it is over for Umar as he showed in the last match.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2010.