Cricket is Life: Pakistan cricket cannot afford more controversies, says Kamran Akmal

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has said that Pakistan cricket is passing through a difficult phase and it cannot afford more controversies. In an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle Radio Urdu Service on Tuesday, he reminded that a difficult tour of England was on the cards and Pakistan had to participate in the World Cup next year. “I believe that in such a difficult situation when foreign teams are reluctant to visit Pakistan we should abstain from creating controversies in the larger interest of the game and the country,” he said.

For the last two weeks Kamran is in the news amid allegations of match-fixing levelled against him by former team coach Intikhab Alam and assistant coach Aaqib Javed. Kamran, known for his swashbuckling batting in the limited version of the game, said he would not comment on allegations of two former team officials. “I am astonished by such allegations but I am under a contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and I hope that the board would take care of these allegations.

Kamran, who has played 48 Tests, 115 ODIs and 34 T20s, praised the captaincy of all-rounder Shahid Afridi saying that he had united the team and under him the boys looked keen to perform according to their true potential. “Afridi is an aggressive captain who always keeps the boys motivated in the middle and I have fully enjoyed playing under him,” Kamran remarked. He said the team members were fully behind Afridi. Kamran is amongst a few selective players who are part of the Pakistan team in all forms of cricket and have served the team with their excellent performance. Unlike other performers, Kamran has never showed any interest in captaincy as he is more focused to improve his batting and keeping skills. “I am not interested in leading the side as I feel that representing the country itself is a huge honour. I am more keen to give my full support to that player whom the PCB appoints to lead the team,” he said.

Like many humble cricketers, Kamran is also not shy of taking the finer tips of the game. He was criticised for his poor keeping in the Sydney Test but his performance behind the stumps was excellent in the recently concluded World Twenty20 in the West Indies. Kamran argues that the critics only remember and discuss one odd poor performance and forget his feat – 181 dismissals in Test cricket. He, however, admits that a poor show always invites criticism and he takes it positively. “I am a learner and I am always keen to learn from every one. After every tour I go to the National Cricket Academy regularly to take tips from Mohtisham Rasheed, my own coach Dr Jamil and Wasim Bari. Recently, Umar, my younger brother, and I were invited by former Test batsman Zaheer Abbas at his residence in Karachi which was a memorable meeting. We spent almost five hours with the Asian Bradman during which he gave us very useful tips to improve our batting. I must say that it was a wonderful meeting.”

Kamran is also a fan of famous Waugh brothers of Australia who played almost 100 Tests together and brought laurels for their country. Along with his younger brother Umar Akmal, he wants to be like them. “I desire that we too be remembered like Mohammed brothers, Chappell brothers and Waugh brothers when we quit the game.” Kamran concluded.