Kamran Akmal as a specialist batsman for Australia

[Mamoon]

In my opinion, he should be picked as a specialist batsman for the Australian tour, ahead of Rizwan and someone like Salahuddin.

I like Rizwan a lot, but he is not ready for Test cricket at this point. Similarly, it will not be fair to throw someone like Usman into the deep end on a tour like this straight away.

Kamran is in the form of his life, plays good horizontal bat shots and can score at a brisk rate. 50s and 60s and a 70+ SR can be pretty useful down the order alongside Sarfraz's cameos.

Obviously he will start on the bench, but if someone like Shafiq fails again or if the management get gutsy enough to axe fisherman Younis, he should be the backup alternative.

Also, the added benefit is that if Sarfraz gets injured, we will not need to fly in a replacement.

Some people will say that we should select Umar etc. because he's a better batsman and I agree, but it's not practical because he busy failing in the BPL while Kamran is killing it in F/C.

Please note that Kamran has no business playing Test cricket, but this is purely a tactical move, in context of the present situation.

It is no different to selecting Malik as an all-rounder for the England series in 2015, an idea I along with a couple of others proposed quite early and copped a lot of criticism for it but it did work very well.

Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture.

 

[JibranAnsari]

He deserves a chance as a pure batsman , even with his shoddy past i would take him. He has been scoring runs for fun on wickets in pakistan where fast bowlers are taking 5fers for fun. 8 hundreds in the last 3 fc seasons and average of 63. Get him in.

 

[Xoib]

In my opinion, he should be picked as a specialist batsman for the Australian tour, ahead of Rizwan and someone like Salahuddin.

I like Rizwan a lot, but he is not ready for Test cricket at this point. Similarly, it will not be fair to throw someone like Usman into the deep end on a tour like this straight away.

Kamran is in the form of his life, plays good horizontal bat shots and can score at a brisk rate. 50s and 60s and a 70+ SR can be pretty useful down the order alongside Sarfraz's cameos.

Obviously he will start on the bench, but if someone like Shafiq fails again or if the management get gutsy enough to axe fisherman Younis, he should be the backup alternative.

Also, the added benefit is that if Sarfraz gets injured, we will not need to fly in a replacement.

Some people will say that we should select Umar etc. because he's a better batsman and I agree, but it's not practical because he busy failing in the BPL while Kamran is killing it in F/C.

Please note that Kamran has no business playing Test cricket, but this is purely a tactical move, in context of the present situation.

It is no different to selecting Malik as an all-rounder for the England series in 2015, an idea I along with a couple of others proposed quite early and copped a lot of criticism for it but it did work very well.

Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture.

you know Kamran's batting average in Australia and that was in his hey days.

You attack Younis left right and center for his poor away record which is to be honest not that poor yet you are advocating Kamran who has hardly scored a run away from home.

 

[Mamoon]

you know Kamran's batting average in Australia and that was in his hey days.

You attack Younis left right and center for his poor away record which is to be honest not that poor yet you are advocating Kamran who has hardly scored a run away from home.

No purpose in digging old graves.

What is Malik's Test bowling average overall and what was his average in the England series?

The point is that you are only as good as your present and your past record doesn't always have a bearing on your present performance.

Younis has a good record in Australia, but we all know that he will be a walking wicket barring 1 innings. Someone like Kamran will probably be more consistent, just like someone like Malik outbowled a so-called specialist like Zulfiqar in the England series.

 

[Xoib]

No purpose in digging old graves.

What is Malik's Test bowling average overall and what was his average in the England series?

The point is that you are only as good as your present and your past record doesn't always have a bearing on your present performance.

Younis has a good record in Australia, but we all know that he will be a walking wicket barring 1 innings. Someone like Kamran will probably be more consistent, just like someone like Malik outbowled a so-called specialist like Zulfiqar in the England series.

so you think he will be more consistent against Strac and Hazelwood when all he has done in past 5 years is bash Asad Ali and Nayyer Abbas and whenever he has been called up he has failed to make the step up.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

In my opinion, he should be picked as a specialist batsman for the Australian tour, ahead of Rizwan and someone like Salahuddin.

I like Rizwan a lot, but he is not ready for Test cricket at this point. Similarly, it will not be fair to throw someone like Usman into the deep end on a tour like this straight away.

Kamran is in the form of his life, plays good horizontal bat shots and can score at a brisk rate. 50s and 60s and a 70+ SR can be pretty useful down the order alongside Sarfraz's cameos.

Obviously he will start on the bench, but if someone like Shafiq fails again or if the management get gutsy enough to axe fisherman Younis, he should be the backup alternative.

Also, the added benefit is that if Sarfraz gets injured, we will not need to fly in a replacement.

Some people will say that we should select Umar etc. because he's a better batsman and I agree, but it's not practical because he busy failing in the BPL while Kamran is killing it in F/C.

Please note that Kamran has no business playing Test cricket, but this is purely a tactical move, in context of the present situation.

It is no different to selecting Malik as an all-rounder for the England series in 2015, an idea I along with a couple of others proposed quite early and copped a lot of criticism for it but it did work very well.

Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture.

Will be a massive failure for the simple reason that runs in FC amount to Jack when someone tours down under or conditions similar to Australia, for that matter. If Younis Plays in this same FC at the moment, he'd probably average over a hundred in a given season, that's how much of a difference is there between Pakistan domestics and ROW.....

Coming to Kamran; we're all missing two of the most important aspects here

1) Is his fitness good enough to compete with the benchmarks set by the new management and Micky ??
2) Where would we field him, A guy who was mucking up with gloves on hardly instills any sort of confidence when he's catching with his bare hands I guess !!


The less said about Kamran's character the better, I still have many doubts over that Sydney 2010 debacle and how he single highhandedly destroyed careers of both Kaneria and Sami. Along with the last World Cup for Akhtar.....

 

[Mamoon]

so you think he will be more consistent against Strac and Hazelwood when all he has done in past 5 years is bash Asad Ali and Nayyer Abbas and whenever he has been called up he has failed to make the step up.

Yes, he's a better player of pace and bounce than Younis at this stage and blockathon doesn't work well in Australia. Won't be surprised if he fares better than even the likes of Azhar and Sami.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Give him 3 more chances to show us what he can do.

 

[Xoib]

Yes, he's a better player of pace and bounce than Younis at this stage and blockathon doesn't work well in Australia. Won't be surprised if he fares better than even the likes of Azhar and Sami.

better player of pace and bounce averages 14 in Aus 12 in South Africa 20 in England 18 in West Indies

All he has to show for is bullying domestic trundlers on home pitches atleast Younis bullies international bowlers in UAE

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

better player of pace and bounce averages 14 in Aus 12 in South Africa 20 in England 18 in West Indies

All he has to show for is bullying domestic trundlers on home pitches atleast Younis bullies international bowlers in UAE

+10000000000000

Can't believe Kami is in contention for a test recall in DECEMBER 2016 .... [MENTION=43242]Dr_Bassim[/MENTION] was right in saying that Kami's name in contention alone sums up entirely what is wrong with Pakistan Cricket !!

 

[Mamoon]

Will be a massive failure for the simple reason that runs in FC amount to Jack when someone tours down under or conditions similar to Australia, for that matter. If Younis Plays in this same FC at the moment, he'd probably average over a hundred in a given season, that's how much of a difference is there between Pakistan domestics and ROW.....

Coming to Kamran; we're all missing two of the most important aspects here

1) Is his fitness good enough to compete with the benchmarks set by the new management and Micky ??
2) Where would we field him, A guy who was mucking up with gloves on hardly instills any sort of confidence when he's catching with his bare hands I guess !!


The less said about Kamran's character the better, I still have many doubts over that Sydney 2010 debacle and how he single highhandedly destroyed careers of both Kaneria and Sami. Along with the last World Cup for Akhtar.....

I don't need to be reminded of the level of our F/C, but Kamran has always been a decent player of pace and bounce. He's rubbish against lateral movement though. He is still one of the best cutters and pullers we have.

Fielding isn't a big issue. We are carrying plenty of average fielders and to be honest, dropping catches as a WK doesn't necessarily mean you will drop catches in the outfield as well. WK requires relentless concentration and it is not everyone's cup of tea.

As far as his character is concerned, it's a moot point. If we cared about character, the convicted and guilty Amir would not be in the team.

Fitness is a reasonable concern, but he's playing long innings in winters where you are prone to cramps and stiff muscles, so I think he's in decent enough shape to last for 3 Tests if needed to be. Remember, he's a backup option at this point.

 

[Hawkeye]

He just needs to be given 3 chances and if he fails, drop him forever.

 

[waleed88]

Kamran Akmal lobby in full swing again..

 

[Xoib]

I don't need to be reminded of the level of our F/C, but Kamran has always been a decent player of pace and bounce. He's rubbish against lateral movement though. He is still one of the best cutters and pullers we have.

Fielding isn't a big issue. We are carrying plenty of average fielders and to be honest, dropping catches as a WK doesn't necessarily mean you will drop catches in the outfield as well. WK requires relentless concentration and it is not everyone's cup of tea.

As far as his character is concerned, it's a moot point. If we cared about character, the convicted and guilty Amir would not be in the team.

Fitness is a reasonable concern, but he's playing long innings in winters where you are prone to cramps and stiff muscles, so I think he's in decent enough shape to last for 3 Tests if needed to be. Remember, he's a backup option at this point.

can you tell why this great player of pace and bounce averages 14 in Australia and 12 in South Africa?

 

[Mamoon]

better player of pace and bounce averages 14 in Aus 12 in South Africa 20 in England 18 in West Indies

All he has to show for is bullying domestic trundlers on home pitches atleast Younis bullies international bowlers in UAE

Again, cricket is not a game of maths. Years old averages with no context of form, fitness and situation don't mean anything. Also, no point in bringing his averages in SA and NZ because he can't cope with seam movement and swing.

People don't have faith in a player with a 50+ away average and 60 average in the last two years and rightly so. That shows you that it is not always about the past numbers.

 

[Mamoon]

Those who are rubbishing this idea also scoffed at the idea of Malik playing against England as well, and I do remember people bringing past stats to the table.

 

[Mamoon]

can you tell why this great player of pace and bounce averages 14 in Australia and 12 in South Africa?

As I said, years old numbers don't interest me in present context.

 

[Xoib]

Again, cricket is not a game of maths. Years old averages with no context of form, fitness and situation don't mean anything. Also, no point in bringing his averages in SA and NZ because he can't cope with seam movement and swing.

People don't have faith in a player with a 50+ away average and 60 average in the last two years and rightly so. That shows you that it is not always about the past numbers.

yes not look at stats and play a batsman who averages just 23 away from home in over 30 tests just because he can play a cut or pull which gets you all gooey inside.

Also I am quoting his numbers in Australia not NZ atleast learn to read properly before responding.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Those who are rubbishing this idea must have scoffed at the idea of Malik playing against England as well, and I do remember people bringing past stats to the table.

Malik's inclusion was based on the fact that he performed in ODI's previously and that gave the management enough confidence to pick him as part of the test squad. Kamran is performing in a domestic tournament which is neither close to internationals nor reaffirms that he might be a reformed batsman that could counter bowler friendly conditions.

 

[Xoib]

Malik's inclusion was based on the fact that he performed in ODI's previously and that gave the management enough confidence to pick him as part of the test squad. Kamran is performing in a domestic tournament which is neither close to internationals nor reaffirms that he might be a reformed batsman that could counter bowler friendly conditions.

and he was played as a batsman and apart from that 248 on a dead as a dodo track he had no impact he was picked as a 3rd spinner to overcome Hafeez loss which was understandable

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

and he was played as a batsman and apart from that 248 on a dead as a dodo track he had no impact he was picked as a 3rd spinner to overcome Hafeez loss which was understandable

That 248, where he was dropped 4 times was the most luckiest 200 I've ever seen a batsman score plus as you said we picked him to accommodate the bowling of Hafeez since England had a number of left handers in their lineup

 

[Hawkeye]

As I said, years old numbers don't interest me in present context.

The domestic performances have always been there. They know how to bash in there.

However if we're talking about a direct replacement for Rizwan then hes 100000 times better than Riz.

Rizwan is a clueless bat who is only a specialist fielder.

But we don't need Riz. Akmal can't handle quality bowling now too with his slow reflexes .

 

[Inzi_fan_No_1]

I would rather player Rashid Latif

 

[Zaz]

The last thing this teams needs is kamran back in the team and his antics

Aside from that the facts are he simply isnt good enough

 

[Junaids]

I would rather have Umar Akmal.

Younger.

Quicker reflexes.

 

[kingusama92]

I see the merit in Kamran Akmal's selection, but it's time to flush out the old faces.

Bring in Usman Salahuddin and let him settle into the squad.

 

[Asim2Good]

I would rather have Umar Akmal.

Younger.

Quicker reflexes.

on what basis u will have umar akmal in test team? just because he is younger?

 

[Junaids]

on what basis u will have umar akmal in test team? just because he is younger?

Much younger, better technique, has previously coped with Mitchell Johnson at his fastest and with Shane Bond.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

The only merit I see in this discussion is OP's reincarnated love for an old figure.

Were it not for OP's personal affection for the guy, I doubt a thread welcoming him would have been created in the first place.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Much younger, better technique, has previously coped with Mitchell Johnson at his fastest and with Shane Bond.

Hasn't made a first class century since God knows when.

I give you that he will score 30 off 40 balls before his brain fade.

Much better than Younis 5 off 30 balls.

But end result is same for both.

One is too old, the other has no brain.

 

[Asim2Good]

Much younger, better technique, has previously coped with Mitchell Johnson at his fastest and with Shane Bond.

Jhonson was no body in 2009 when Umar Akmal scored scored a bit in one test agaisnt Aus, he still avg 25 against Aus.
he played only one test against bond which was his debut match I think.

and it was time when he was new at international scene and no one knew much about his weakness. now e all know where he stands.

 

[Hawkeye]

I see the merit in Kamran Akmal's selection, but it's time to flush out the old faces.

Bring in Usman Salahuddin and let him settle into the squad.

Don't want more accumulators who aren't dynamic enough and are too timid.

Doesn't have the proper technique either and can't handle pace.

 

[Shafi]

Mamoon, JibranAnsari are you people really serious. Both Akmals are super flop in BPL (Umar Akmal in 2016 and Kamran Akmal 2015). How can they cope bouncy pitch with superior bowlers if they can not even cope low quality bowlers in BPL.

 

[Shafi]

Difference between teams like Australia, South Africa, India, England and Pakistan is we keep recycle old failures again and again instead of get new players who can serve us for long run.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Don't want more accumulators who aren't dynamic enough and are too timid.

Doesn't have the proper technique either and can't handle pace.

These kind of filters normally would rule out 90% of Pak domestic players to be honest

 

[Mainul]

Yes, he deserves a call.I think he will do well.But there is a Umar Akmal in Kamran.He needs to get out of the habit of throwing away his wicket.

It's a good proposal indeed.

But OP has very prematurely reached a conclusion that Rizwan is not ready for test cricket after just one innings!

 

[Adil_94]

it doesnt matter how many runs Kami scores at domestic he just cant replicate that at intl level anymore eventually. england had Hick and Ramprakash churning out big runs in county cricket till their late 30s yet they stopped picking them for a long while before that because they werent good enough for intl level. Kami back in the team would be a backward step.

 

[Hasan123]

Not interested in his stats, he has had brain freezes with the bat at international level and if he is gong to play as a specialist batsmen more than likely he will be fielding at slip. We know how poor a keeper he was, at slip he could easily cost us.

Would rather stick with Rizwan or pick another middle order player. If we're selecting any Akmal as a specialist bat it should be Umar.

 

[Mainul]

The expiry date of this thread has gone past.

Pakistan team has been announced and no Akmal there.

 

[MMHS]

The expiry date of this thread has gone past.

Pakistan team has been announced and no Akmal there.

It's not - trust me, for the history of PCB & it's moods operandi. What might happen is, PAK's middle-order will be man slaughtered in AUS & KAkmal will keep piling big scores in domestics. After AUS tour - he comes back for BD/WI tour which will be even bigger blunder than taking Rizwan as 2nd WK in AUS.

If you look at the team, most of the border-line/questionable players are few years drifted from the time they should have been in the team.

Misbah should have played 100+ Tests, by the time of his retirement (That's ENG 2016 at most)
Nawaz is a spinner, who needs to mature few more years, so he is in the team. Sohail should have played 50+ Tests by now - at his expense Rauf, Tanvir, Sami, Cheema, Tannu, Gulu has enjoyed 5/6 years pension, now at almost 38, he is competing with Robin Singh pace by pace after Day 2 of any Test
Babar should have been in the team 2 years back - MoHa enjoyed his time, now Babar is to fix it in ANZ with 1 Test's experience
Rizwan should have been a Test option in 2020, he is there playing as a specialist bat
Least said about YK, Wahab & Imran is better.

There are half a dozen pacers/pace bowling all-rounder in their mid or early 20s waiting for their turn - they'll make the team in 2023 after a decade of experience in the dynamic QA style; while Haris, Amin might never get a chance in future. If Inzi & Misbah/Azhar remains in charge, by 2020, PAK's "Official" average age might reach 35 for Test team .........

 

[Justcrazy]

Kamran has been given enough chances , its unfair on others.

 

[Jan Sher]

He was already given '3 more chances'

 

[Bilal7]

Kamran Akmal is killing it on the pitches of Pakistan, there is nothing to suggest that he'll average anything more than 30-35 in Australia and a character like him is not worth bringing back in the first place.

Good 'ol Inzi will make sure that such dreams remain dreams.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

He will get destroyed in australia. This has nothing to do with stats. hazlewood/starc will find some movement and bounce if pitch/conditions are like SAF series and kami will score ducks in all innings.

 

[Mainul]

It's not - trust me, for the history of PCB & it's moods operandi. What might happen is, PAK's middle-order will be man slaughtered in AUS & KAkmal will keep piling big scores in domestics. After AUS tour - he comes back for BD/WI tour which will be even bigger blunder than taking Rizwan as 2nd WK in AUS.

If you look at the team, most of the border-line/questionable players are few years drifted from the time they should have been in the team.

Misbah should have played 100+ Tests, by the time of his retirement (That's ENG 2016 at most)
Nawaz is a spinner, who needs to mature few more years, so he is in the team. Sohail should have played 50+ Tests by now - at his expense Rauf, Tanvir, Sami, Cheema, Tannu, Gulu has enjoyed 5/6 years pension, now at almost 38, he is competing with Robin Singh pace by pace after Day 2 of any Test
Babar should have been in the team 2 years back - MoHa enjoyed his time, now Babar is to fix it in ANZ with 1 Test's experience
Rizwan should have been a Test option in 2020, he is there playing as a specialist bat
Least said about YK, Wahab & Imran is better.

There are half a dozen pacers/pace bowling all-rounder in their mid or early 20s waiting for their turn - they'll make the team in 2023 after a decade of experience in the dynamic QA style; while Haris, Amin might never get a chance in future. If Inzi & Misbah/Azhar remains in charge, by 2020, PAK's "Official" average age might reach 35 for Test team .........

Well said.Pakistan selectors are the worst i think in picking up squad and it has been for over a decade now.

In my eyes Cheema was good and he was picked up after his prime time was nearly over.He was instrumental behind Pakistan's winning of Asia cup, but he was thrown into wilderness again after that tournament.

I can also name a few like Asim Kamal, Tabish Khan, Fawad Alam,Sadaf Hussain who by their performance in domestics owed a long try at international cricket but never got it.

I always think that the downgrade performance of Pakistan team is more due to faulty and biased team selection more than anything else.

 

[MRSN]

you know Kamran's batting average in Australia and that was in his hey days.

You attack Younis left right and center for his poor away record which is to be honest not that poor yet you are advocating Kamran who has hardly scored a run away from home.

who was the leading run scorer from Pakistan in the Natwest 2010 Series against England? yeah Kamran Akmal played a key role in that series with his positive batting. Sometimes you need a batsman with positive approach than timid approach which only works on flat roads of India and UAE. You are not going to survive longer by ducking and waiting for spinners to come and gift you runs.

 

[Major]

Seen enough of him. He's a walking wicket, no need

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Seen enough of him. He's a walking wicket, no need

The fact that PP is having a debate about it is a cause of concern to be honest !

When will we rid ourselves from the Akmals

 

[MRSN]

The fact that PP is having a debate about it is a cause of concern to be honest !

When will we rid ourselves from the Akmals

no, sir. please continue with the UAE legends and walking wickets outside.

 

[Buffet]

When did he play his last test?

 

[Suleiman]

Good post. Kamster adds a new dimension ro our team with his aggressive batting. Unfair to keep out a man pouring his blood and sweat for Pak domestics like has done for the national team in the past.

One of the best players of cut shot. He knows he has wronged the Pakistani folks once many years ago and would love to set the record straight now with a match winning innings or 2 down under.

 

[The_Odd_One]

What is this fascination with Akmal brothers seriously?

The only Akmal that deserves to be in the squad is Adnan and that too as a backup keeper.

Umar has to first prove himself in ODIs and T20s.

Kamran is 35 already with poor fitness and even poorer record outside Asia. Sorry but that boat has sailed!

He has been in great form for a while now but every time he made a come back, he failed miserably. Even in the last PSL, he batted well only once in the entire tournament and some people wanted him selected for world T20.

 

[shah_1]

Kamran deserves another chance

 

[coy0607]

What is this fascination with Akmal brothers seriously?

The only Akmal that deserves to be in the squad is Adnan and that too as a backup keeper.

Umar has to first prove himself in ODIs and T20s.

Kamran is 35 already with poor fitness and even poorer record outside Asia. Sorry but that boat has sailed!

He has been in great form for a while now but every time he made a come back, he failed miserably. Even in the last PSL, he batted well only once in the entire tournament and some people wanted him selected for world T20.

yeah, this isn't the first time he's pouring in runs in domestic...

he's 35 and our team is already too old. Not to mention he brings a lot of history and baggage with him

Usman Salahuddin has the same # of runs as Akmal, and he's 10 year younger

 

[in_cutter]

Selection of Akmal would have been 100 steps backwards. Glad he has not been selected.

Surprised this thread is opened by [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

 

[sshakir411]

LOL worthy idea. Pretty clear by now that the Akmal dynasty is a failure at all levels...there's also a huge doubt over their integrity.

 

[New Yorker]

Will be a massive failure for the simple reason that runs in FC amount to Jack when someone tours down under or conditions similar to Australia, for that matter. If Younis Plays in this same FC at the moment, he'd probably average over a hundred in a given season, that's how much of a difference is there between Pakistan domestics and ROW.....

Coming to Kamran; we're all missing two of the most important aspects here

1) Is his fitness good enough to compete with the benchmarks set by the new management and Micky ??
2) Where would we field him, A guy who was mucking up with gloves on hardly instills any sort of confidence when he's catching with his bare hands I guess !!


The less said about Kamran's character the better, I still have many doubts over that Sydney 2010 debacle and how he single highhandedly destroyed careers of both Kaneria and Sami. Along with the last World Cup for Akhtar.....

You may argue, if not very persuasively, that runs for batsmen or wickets for bowlers "count for jack" in Pakistani domestics, but you can't have it both ways. If it is so easy to score runs it should be well neigh impossible to take wickets, but that is not the case at all.

In actuality these kinds of self flagellating disavowals are moot. If you want to build up a functioning cricket system you need to work systematically. Which means you pick the best performers, make sure they get a decent run, and if they don't well enough rotate in new candidates.

We can talk about technique until the cows come home but everyone will acknowledge that doing well is never merely about technique. The only way you can test a player's true mettle is to test them. No other way of doing it.

And I think it should count for something that the best pacer in the team right now, if not the fittest, is Sohail Khan, who was brought back from the wilderness amidst all the usual moaning about how there is no talent in the pipeline and Rahat is the best we've got.

 

[badsha001]

would rather take umar over kamran

 

[Mamoon]

Selection of Akmal would have been 100 steps backwards. Glad he has not been selected.

Surprised this thread is opened by [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

I have never for advocated for Kamran in Test cricket and won't do so otherwise, but I think given the circumstances, it could prove to be a successful left field move.

I mean he has a better chance of succeeding than Rizwan and the likes of Shafiq are only accumulating ducks at the moment. Also, I don't know what Nawaz is going to do in Australia.

It is/was purely a tactical suggestion on my part.

 

[Mamoon]

Kamran Akmal is killing it on the pitches of Pakistan, there is nothing to suggest that he'll average anything more than 30-35 in Australia and a character like him is not worth bringing back in the first place.

Good 'ol Inzi will make sure that such dreams remain dreams.

Good 'ol Inzi is proving to be a dummy selector. He needs to explain what Nawaz (and I like him) is doing on a tour of Australia.

 

[Mamoon]

When did he play his last test?

2010. Honestly, the success of Malik vs England in 2015 tells me that such left field moves can work from time to time, even though it might not look like a bright idea in the first place.

 

[Mamoon]

and he was played as a batsman and apart from that 248 on a dead as a dodo track he had no impact he was picked as a 3rd spinner to overcome Hafeez loss which was understandable

He was picked as an all-rounder because of Hafeez's ban. We needed a third spinner.

For someone who did not play as a specialist batsman and was playing his first Test in 6 year, a 248 more than made up for any failures he had later on and in addition, he out-bowled Zulfiqar. It was a very good decision to select him, and although he has retired, he would still be a very good all-rounder for UAE Tests.

Malik's inclusion was based on the fact that he performed in ODI's previously and that gave the management enough confidence to pick him as part of the test squad. Kamran is performing in a domestic tournament which is neither close to internationals nor reaffirms that he might be a reformed batsman that could counter bowler friendly conditions.

The main point to consider is current form. When Malik was picked, PPers brought his Test batting and bowling starts and how they were pathetic etc., but years old stats hardly mean anything when your current form is good.

Especially when you are selecting players for the short-run only.

Besides, Kamran is an alternative suggestion to Rizwan (not ready for Tests) or he can be added in place of Nawaz (not sure what he is going to do in Australia), which doesn't make him a bad option.

Anyhow, there is no point in discussing this further because the squad has been announced already.

 

[Bilal7]

Good 'ol Inzi is proving to be a dummy selector. He needs to explain what Nawaz (and I like him) is doing on a tour of Australia.

Only viable all-rounder around. He would be a dummy selector if he went through and recalled Kamran Akmal to the test team. Selecting Sharjeel was a master stroke and none of the previous selectors would have given Babar a chance this early.

 

[sam_ahm]

Quite simply you should pick players in form, I'm a very firm believer in this concept and Kamran at the moment is in the form of his life. Definitely should have been picked, I hope they at least pick him for the ODIs.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

What about Fawad Alam? He averages 57.

 

[Barragan]

He would have been a very good option, considering his form and what he has done for 3 seasons.

 

[PakLFC]

No way. He is no specialist batsman at all. Rather we bought in someone like Fawad or even give Sohaib Maqsood another chance.

 

[Sami92]

Very bad idea. Would have made a better sense if it was for only T20Is.

 

[IAJ]

Should Kamran Akmal be brought back to the LOIs squad?

As a batsman? I thought he was well past it but I hear in media people want him back om basis of his recent form in domestic.
I don't follow cricket so closely anymore so what is your take?

 

[coy0607]

he's in good form on pancake wickets

he's a proven failure at the international level, and he's 35 so it going to be a short term thing anyway

it time we start building for the future, with actual prospects not politically motivated, tested and failed hacks

 

[Rayyman]

Astagfirrulah

HAHAHAHA

I agree Kami bhai should be no where near the team.

And if he is...

Wicket-keeping coach.

 

[Cosmic]

Certainly Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal & Mohammed Asif Deserve... The Chance as their domestic Performance is Profilic

 

[New Yorker]

he's in good form on pancake wickets

he's a proven failure at the international level, and he's 35 so it going to be a short term thing anyway

it time we start building for the future, with actual prospects not politically motivated, tested and failed hacks

meanwhile we complain that bowlers have far too easy of a time taking wickets in domestics. it can't be both easy to bat and easy to score. you certainly have a point about his age, but in a season when pacers averaged in the 15s, and all batsmen played on the same pitches, you are just flatly wrong about the first bit.

 

[coy0607]

meanwhile we complain that bowlers have far too easy of a time taking wickets in domestics. it can't be both easy to bat and easy to score. you certainly have a point about his age, but in a season when pacers averaged in the 15s, and all batsmen played on the same pitches, you are just flatly wrong about the first bit.

Not saying he isn't scoring against good bowlers, all I'm saying is that he's taking advantage of flat wickets

Which is true, but then again he's doing the best with what he has to work with

Everything considered, I just don't think he's earned a place in the team

 

[moghul]

Kamran always been a good batsman but he got very unpopular dueto his goalkeeping-------sorry wicket keeping. Now he is the best batsman in domestic cricket, play him as batsman. He is 8 yers youner than YK.

 

[umerz]

Kamran always been a good batsman but he got very unpopular dueto his goalkeeping-------sorry wicket keeping. Now he is the best batsman in domestic cricket, play him as batsman. He is 8 yers youner than YK.

You wont be too happy to see his averages against good bowling attacks

 

[Pete Rose]

I think pakistan do need more fire power down the order in the odi line up. Sharjeel alone can't do it. But the idea of relying on an akmal for anything just sounds wrong

 

[Hamza_]

I think pakistan do need more fire power down the order in the odi line up. Sharjeel alone can't do it. But the idea of relying on an akmal for anything just sounds wrong

Indeed. That is why maybe someone like Asif Zakir could be considered, Have been scoring truck load of runs at decent scoring rate.

 

[SARJ_BD]

How long will Kami serve? He is 33 already.
No question on his talent and form, but age is not on his side.

Pak must think long term. If they start working on Imam-ul-haq and Fakhar Zaman from today, these players will be a ready product in 2 years.
The longer you delay to start giving them chances, longer it will take to get a ready made opener.

 

[Mamoon]

Should have been flown in as Sarfraz's replacement. Will take him over athlete Rizwan 10/10 times in all formats.