Pakistan saw at least two vital and easy dismissals drop out of their hands thanks to shoddy wicket-keeping from Kamran Akmal. Andrew Strauss’s straightforward caught-behind chance in the fifth over could have proved much costlier than it did. The second chance that he missed was one of the easiest stumping opportunities one can recall. Here, Paul Collingwood had walked such a long way down the crease that had Kamran caught the ball in the second attempt, even then he would have been able to knock the bails off. However, it was not to be and so a vital chance to break England’s best partnership came and went. Collingwood was on 48 then and he is still batting on 77 while Pakistan continue their search for a breakthrough.
This is not the first time Kamran Akmal’s ‘keeping has cost Pakistan so heavily. Who doesn’t remember Sydney 2010? Is Kamran’s experience and batting prowess really so important for Pakistan that he cannot be replaced by another ‘keeper? Should he play as a specialist batsman? And if he is replaced then by who?
Pakistan need to find answers to these questions fast or the series will slip out of their hands…
The views expressed by the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
I think kamran akmal needs to be dropped his keeping hast cost us time and time again he can continue keeping ODI’s and T20’s but at tests his keeping isn’t good enough to last long bowling spells. I suggest bringing in the under 19 keeper i think his name is mohammed waqas or give sarfaraz a good chance he is a good wicketkeeper with ok batting if he can improve his batting he can be the mainstay of Pakistan team in all formats. I also read an article on Jung about a mysterious person talking to the Pakistan team in there hotel room and pak management told them to avoid such people but despite that they continue to talk to them which may suggest kamran is match fixing
I dont think he has a place in test squad as a test batsman. He should definitely play one days and t20s but Pakistan needs a young keeper for tests..
Kamran Almal is involved in match fixing for sure………… He intentionally drop catches and throws his wicket
I am shocked at the couldn’t careless attitude of people at the helm of cricket affairs in Pakistan. Is there so much drought of talent in Pakistan that we can’t find even one wicketkeeper better than Kamran ? Or he is some “big shot’s” relative that no one can touch him? Why has PCB failed to train more wicketkeepers in their Academy? It is such a bad luck that we in Pakistan can’t do anything right. This test match is almost lost. How many more we will loose before we bring in better and experienced batsmen who are being kept out on flimsy grounds. Is there anything more important than the good name of Pakistan?
Kamran Akmal’s time is over now. If he is scoring runs with poor wicket keeping then in my opinion there is no place for him in the team. He is playing as a wicket keeper not as a batsman. He definitely needs some rest.
Weldone! Kamran Akmal, salam to you. Keep playing like this.
We should think cricket as a game with positive attitude. We are humans, we do mistakes. A talent like Kamran is difficult to replace, so I think he should be encouraged rather than discouraged to further improve his wicket keeping by practicing more before every day of cricket.
Kamran Akmal is the worst wicketkeeper in the history of the game.
For the sake of Umar Akmal he should be played as a batsman?
Wow, I think in that case both should be kicked out. Find one match that Umar Akmal has won? He is a choker, that is what he is.
Akmal should be out of the team long time back! hes only in the team because of knowing a few people in the Board! They are much better keepers in pak then him… he should be sacked over board.
Every time he gets out of drop a chance Pakistan lose a match. PCB should see is he doing that intentionally. We already suffered humuliation later year in Aus in 2009 and again this match is over for pakistan. PCB should remove him immediately, Akmal batting is pathetic in test matches so we can even remove him permenantly.
I amnot sure why there is a big dscussion about kamran?
Every one has some issues or problems and they need to be fixed. And you fix them by kicking his BEHIND and letting him know he can be easily replaced.
Please get the someone else and give him some chance. I am in US so don’t know much about the new guys. But get some and try him
AT the end one should say, HOW WORSE THE NEXT FELLOW WOULD BE?
Could be better keeper with some confidence of kamran could do some hardwork and fixed the issues.
Have a nice day.
I think Pakistan should get rid of both Akmal brothers after their poor performance. Danish Kaneria is most effected bowler from Kamran Akmals poor keeping.
Kamran Akmal is a joke in the cricket world. The worst keeper not in pakistan but if you compare all the teams he is the worst keeper. Its just mind boggling to see him still in the team and i am sick and tired of all the comments that how good of a batsman he is…..Please all those experts i recommend u do your homework first.
Kamran has cost Pakistan so many games over the years that i have lost count now.
Too much politics in Pakistan cricket. They all need to be flushed out and get a new breed.
Please bring back Sarfraz and let him show everyone how keeping is done.
Drop Him! No Doubt about that, no questions asked, no reasons give.
Remove him out of the team. He is nothing but a rubbish player and a burden on the team. Who says that he can play as a specialist player, i don’t remember when he batted nicely last time.
He is good batsman and a horrible keeper, slot him as a batsman and bring in a specialist keeper
Kamran Akmal should have been dropped way before but due to his relations with the ministers or Mr. Butt , he has been retained ! this is absolutely pathetic. lot of players have lost their positions without given a fair chance just because they didnt perform in couple of games. Their careers have been over for example yasir hameed, asim kamal etc. About his batting, give me a break ! The standard of our test cricket team is : Butt 32 Avg, Farhat 33 Avg, Malik 35 Avg . Thats something to be proud of right ??
I think Akmal brothers should be dropped out from the test team. They may be successful in one day and T20 but not at test level. Give chance to some specialist wicket-keeper in the test team.
Younus and Yousaf should be brought back immediately because they are the solid batsmen. Look at the record of Yousaf, he mad 25 centuries in 79 tests whereas legendary Javed Miandad made 21 centuries in 125 tests. He is the same guy who made nine centuries in one year and that is a world record. How can you be so cruel by dropping such a talented bat who has always brought respect and fame to Pakistan?
God maybless Pakistani team and God may show straight path to PCB! Ameen
Probably the worst wicket keeper the world has ever seen. Absolute problem for Pakistan, no question he should be dropped immediately along with his brother who I think are simply a headache for Pakistan.
Apart of his dodgy wicket keeping, he’s also a source of trouble in the team. We all know what happened in Australia (when he refused to be dropped from the team). You have to give credit to Shahid Afridi, who realize that he’s not good enough for test level and for best interest of the team he dropped himself to concentrate on one-day and T20 cricket. Isn’t same applying to Kamran!
He and his brother are proving to be a bad influence on the team. I know they have talent but they don’t seem to be playing for Pakistan. Both Akmal brothers failed today with bat and Umar suggested that Azhar was gone and he didn’t ask him for a referral which cost Pakistan dearly.
Why is there a debate, this guy is not a natural keeper so what do we expect. If he has a good day it seems to make up for all his blunders and failures. I’m afraid a wicketkeeper is a thankless job but its like a football goalkeeper, you are paid to not make mistakes. If you miss catches or stumping you are costing the team hundreds of runs. Only if he batted like Inzimam or Miandad would he have any excuse to be in the team. That’s why he doesn’t want to play as a batsman only, because he knows everyone will see that he is a part time batsman and ODI ‘specialist’ only. His batting is not very good and he has poor defensive technique, mental strength and patience to play consistent long innings.
The selections are not based on merit and thats why Pakistan fans didn’t bother watching the Test matches against Australia. With this type of team selection and shambolic management of Pakistan cricket the interest in the game is going to die and I wouldn’t pay to watch these village losers.
Our best two batsman have been kicked out due to politics, although M Yousuf was partly to blame for creating instability in the first place. We always lose due to infighting, ego’s and greed. We had a fine captain and great test batsman in Younis Khan but everyone revolted against him out of jealousy and the board didn’t back him and punish the players in question.
No they are currently in team even though they were deliberately throwing matches last year. Just remember who bought M Amir into the team and brought M Yousuf out of exile, gave debut to Fawad Alam. This is the only guy who has tried his best to make the team professional and work hard, but they only play for themselves and most of them are not deserving to be
in the squad.
I tend to agree with what you are saying. I would love to go to the test matches and support my team but I know the batsmen are going to let the team down. It is difficult enough trying to watch Pakistan bat on television. It is about time we bring back Mohammed Yusuf, Yunus Khan and possibly also Fawad Alam. Can someone sack Ijaz Butt. I am sure lot of Pakistani cricket fans can do a better job than he does. I am prepared to volunteer and do not even want to be paid and will willingly help out for the love of my country.
The Problem is Ejaz Butt and his bloated ego. Sack him. Especially after the thumping defeat against England in the First Test Match.
KA was looking tired from start of the match . He is not bad keeper i think he just need some rest ‘ Sarfarz is Good option but he lacks in Batting . Here we need a strong middle order i saw Younis Khan Keeping in his earlier matches and he was good behind the wickets far better then KA now a days .As Part time keeper and strong Middle order we can try. Adam Gilchrist and Sanagakara both are brilliant batsmen and Wicket keeper. I think in practice session we can Try Younis ‘ he has an ability to mold himself according to situation. Whether Younis or Sarfarz but selection committee should start looking for Good wicketkeeper+Batsman. Please before dropping KA make sure Umer Akmal is medically fit.
kamal akmal is aworst wicket keeper,he is not special batsman,give a chance to other wicket keeper
I fully agree with the comments of mehraj.Kamran Akmal should immediately be removed as a Wicket Keeper.As a batsman if he doesnot perform in the first test with England, he should be replaced.I still do not understand why Younas and Yousaf are not being included in the test team.For God sack thing of the country and not for individuals or one’s your own interests.