[EXCLUSIVE] "Unfortunately, we have been prioritizing stat-padding": Kamran Akmal

[BouncerGuy]

In the latest episode of PakPassion exclusive interviews, Saj talks with former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal on key topics in Pakistan cricket, including:

• Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan partnership and balancing individual milestones with team interests.
• Aaqib Javed’s potential impact as head coach and the importance of team unity.
• Babar Azam’s exclusion from the Test side and its implications for Pakistan cricket.
• Mohammad Rizwan’s appointment as white-ball skipper, how it could shape the team’s future, and much more.
• Champions Trophy situation, the need for sensible decision-making, supporting the PCB's approach, and encouraging unity in backing Pakistan's cricket.
• Contributions and coaching philosophy of the former Australian cricketer, Jason Gillespie, in Pakistan cricket.
• Gary Kirsten's significant contributions as a respected coach and the impact of his resignation on Pakistan's coaching landscape.
• Overview of Kamran Ghulam’s career and challenges in transitioning from domestic to international cricket.
• Differences in Domestic Cricket of Pakistan and India.

Watch the full interview here:

 

[MenInG]

Of late Kamran has become a much more sensible voice in Pakistan cricket.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Of late Kamran has become a much more sensible voice in Pakistan cricket.

He wouldn't be saying any of this if Umar was in the team.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Statpadding is the reason that Pakistan national side has multiple players but no team.

 

[Monsee]

Stapadding, wonder why he would say that, maybe he looked up his and bro's averages across all formats. Also, I am sure Shoaib, Kaneria, Sami, and several others would like to remind him of his catchdropping!

 

[FearlessRoar]

He's probably taking a subtle dig at Babar Azam.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Played 53 Tests, 157 ODIs, and 58 T20Is
Scored 6,871 international runs
Achieved 454 dismissals as a wicket-keeper
Part of the 2009 T20 World Cup-winning squad
The first wicket-keeper to record 100 stumpings in T20 cricket

Wishing a very happy birthday to Kamran Akmal!

 

[Varun]

Played 53 Tests, 157 ODIs, and 58 T20Is
Scored 6,871 international runs
Achieved 454 dismissals as a wicket-keeper
Part of the 2009 T20 World Cup-winning squad
The first wicket-keeper to record 100 stumpings in T20 cricket

Wishing a very happy birthday to Kamran Akmal!

454 out of how many?
100 out of how many?

 

[FearlessRoar]

Kamran Akmal, while talking on his YouTube channel:

"Our team can no longer utilize its home conditions effectively, so when will we? When will our team win? Will every team keep beating us? Zimbabwe beat us and went away, Bangladesh beat us and went away, New Zealand has defeated us three times, Australia has won multiple times and left, England comes to Pakistan and beats us. After four years, we finally won a match against England in our home series. We are getting whitewashed in our own country. The process of selection and talent is completely being destroyed. You're completely ruining your system. Right now, I am watching domestic cricket and I feel sorry for how Pakistan's cricket is being run. They are just going through the motions."

"These people sitting in the office are only brought in to give them salaries, to just fulfill formalities. Right now, you're destroying your system and your domestic cricket."

"I hope our team performs well in the Champions Trophy and wins the trophy, but with this kind of approach, the trophy won’t be won. If we win one match, we'll remember it for many years. Any match will be written off by saying, 'No, no, this team is very good, they chased 350 runs, it’s great, history has been made.' But after that, think about what will happen."

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Kamran Akmal in a recent interview lambasted PCB for the team selection for CT 2025:

"Pakistan ki team aisi hai chal jaaye toh chand tak, warna shaam tak. Our team has many loopholes. The bowling is struggling. Spinners are not there. The openers are struggling. I don't know what the selectors and the captain thought. Even our chairman gave his approval. Let's see how things unfold. The rest of the teams look much more balanced,"

"We could have announced a better team. I think India, New Zealand, England, and South Africa will make the semi-finals. Australia is depleted because five key players have been injured. I don't know the thought process behind picking such a Pakistani team."
"The chairman hasn't played that much cricket; he doesn't understand matters, perhaps, so he gave his approval for such a team. India look clear favourites; they deserve to play the final. But I can't say the same about Pakistan. If they make the semi-final, I would consider it a big achievement,"

"If Pakistan beats one among India and New Zealand and is still unable to make the top four, I would still consider that Pakistan made the semi-finals. Such is the composition of our team,"

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Too bad Kami couldn't do some stat-padding. Maybe then his ODI average would have hit 30.