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Kamran Akmal - The explosive opener we need

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Hawkeye

Senior T20I Player
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Even his staunch haters would agree he's an amazing batsman against pace bowling.

He loves pace and bounce coming on to his bat, then smash the bowlers over the fence.

You can hate him for his keeping (not much poor than Sarfraz's) and middle order batting, but he's a top bat and the kind of person you need to partner Sharjeel, give us quick starts in LOIs.

There are other options too for ODIs like Khalid, Shahzaib, but if Kamran does well, I'm guessing Inzi will go for him.
 
Age is the only hindrance. Quality wise, he looks ready for international cricket.
 
He should be considered for international team if he does good in the PSL. Rizwan needs to be dropped unfortunately he seems like a nice guy who tries hard and he may be a good fielder but simply not good enough batsmen which is a shame since he started his career off so well
 
Mamoon said:
Age is the only hindrance. Quality wise, he looks ready for international cricket.
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Can give us good starts till Champions Trophy.

If he does well in the tournament, that is. Not sure how Shahzaib and Khalid are going to fare - good competition.

Kamran has more ability though, plays beautiful off-side game and is a proven clutch player under pressure.
 
He is looking really good in PSL and has been performing great in domestic. Honestly, he deserves a go as an opener. He can perform until the next world cup.
 
Hawkeye said:
Can give us good starts till Champions Trophy.

If he does well in the tournament, that is. Not sure how Shahzaib and Khalid are going to fare - good competition.

Kamran has more ability though, plays beautiful off-side game and is a proven clutch player under pressure.
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Only in Tests.
 
Mamoon said:
Age is the only hindrance. Quality wise, he looks ready for international cricket.
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I agree and gald to be proven wrong.

Seen enough...KAKMAL needs to be brought back
 
We need someone explosive with Sharjeel in ODIs. Id prefer Umar but if they wont promote him then Kamran is a good option. Enough of the Azhars and Shehzads
 
Should be opening with Sharjeel on merit. Pakistan could still get a lot out of him till the next world cup.
 
Should replace Sarfraz as keeper in ODIs too. We can play an extra hitter in the middle in place of Sarfraz
 
Lets wait foe the whole tournament then judge
 
miandadrules said:
Why only as an opener?

It's our middle-order which is stagnant.
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because he can make good use of PP overs. but yes we need an explosive batsman in the middle order too. Hafeez and Malik look out of power.
 
miandadrules said:
So we put all our eggs in one basket?
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it's the modern day requirement. I don't think one attacking + one anchor as openers strategy is working for us. Sharjeel + Azhar hasn't worked in the last few series. but I do agree with you. our middle order or even lower order has hardly any batsman who can clear grounds that includes Sarfraz. Umar is exception but he is fighting for his place in the team.
 
Hawkeye said:
Even his staunch haters would agree he's an amazing batsman against pace bowling.

He loves pace and bounce coming on to his bat, then smash the bowlers over the fence.

You can hate him for his keeping (not much poor than Sarfraz's) and middle order batting, but he's a top bat and the kind of person you need to partner Sharjeel, give us quick starts in LOIs.

There are other options too for ODIs like Khalid, Shahzaib, but if Kamran does well, I'm guessing Inzi will go for him.
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not sure about Kami's recall. Its better if Pakistan invest in a youngster instead.
 
Let him peform consistently in this PSL. I'd rather make his brother the opener as of now.
 
MRSN said:
it's the modern day requirement. I don't think one attacking + one anchor as openers strategy is working for us. Sharjeel + Azhar hasn't worked in the last few series. but I do agree with you. our middle order or even lower order has hardly any batsman who can clear grounds that includes Sarfraz. Umar is exception but he is fighting for his place in the team.
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Azhar shouldn't be in the team.

Barbar and Harris are good enough for Pakistan but they aren't dynamic relative to international standards. So Babar has to open with Sharjeel.

Kamran at 5 gives impetus to the middle-order where we always lose our way.

Azhar, Malik and Shafiq offer no value to the limited overs squad. Hafeez should never play in place of a batsman. Play him as one of the five bowlers and bat him around 5/6.
 
miandadrules said:
Azhar shouldn't be in the team.

Barbar and Harris are good enough for Pakistan but they aren't dynamic relative to international standards. So Babar has to open with Sharjeel.

Kamran at 5 gives impetus to the middle-order where we always lose our way.

Azhar, Malik and Shafiq offer no value to the limited overs squad. Hafeez should never play in place of a batsman. Play him as one of the five bowlers and bat him around 5/6.
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pretty much agree with you. Plus Baber is a natural opener so that might not be big problem shifting him.

We do need to revamp our ODI team completely to the current International standards and make these fundamental changes.
 
Mamoon said:
[/b]

Only in Tests.
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I can recall one ODI where he won it for us. Maybe it was against WI, but it was a blinder.

miandadrules said:
Why only as an opener?

It's our middle-order which is stagnant.
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Have to utilize players to their full potential. Kami's lies in him opening the batting.

I agree that the middle order of Sarfraz, Malik, Hafeez, Rizwan is the worst in the world. But, we need someone who is good against spin and pace both there.

It's disturbing there's no one in the domestic circuit who can fill this role, in the middle.
 
Hawkeye said:
I can recall one ODI where he won it for us. Maybe it was against WI, but it was a blinder.



Have to utilize players to their full potential. Kami's lies in him opening the batting.

I agree that the middle order of Sarfraz, Malik, Hafeez, Rizwan is the worst in the world. But, we need someone who is good against spin and pace both there.

It's disturbing there's no one in the domestic circuit who can fill this role, in the middle.
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Then you are putting all your eggs in one basket.

A middle-order of Barbar-Harris-Sarfraz-Malik isn't much better.

There is no reason why Kamran can't succeed in the middle-order.

You don't utilise players ahead of the need of the team. You build the team around the needs of the team not the other way round.

The need is for dynamic middle-order batsmen. There aren't that many options, and Kamran is certainly in the conversation.
 
Was hitting it swiftly, needed to stay till the end...
A bit early to show such emotions.. Let him perform through this whole PSL....
 
Hawkeye said:
I can recall one ODI where he won it for us. Maybe it was against WI, but it was a blinder.



Have to utilize players to their full potential. Kami's lies in him opening the batting.

I agree that the middle order of Sarfraz, Malik, Hafeez, Rizwan is the worst in the world. But, we need someone who is good against spin and pace both there.

It's disturbing there's no one in the domestic circuit who can fill this role, in the middle.
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Yup against West Indies in Abu Dhabi he played a blinder... But in lower order..
 
Mamoon said:
Age is the only hindrance. Quality wise, he looks ready for international cricket.
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He always was. He's been ignored for reasons other than his ability, his scores in domestic cricket, not to mention his previous knocks at international level have always underlined his hitting power. It's a shame we have been inflicted with watching wannabe batsmen not fit to lace his shoes turning out for Pakistan the last 4 years.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
He always was. He's been ignored for reasons other than his ability, his scores in domestic cricket, not to mention his previous knocks at international level have always underlined his hitting power. It's a shame we have been inflicted with watching wannabe batsmen not fit to lace his shoes turning out for Pakistan the last 4 years.
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that's the most sad thing.
 
Put a man on the cut and bowl short and wide. I can guarantee he will get out every single time. Thats how he was found out in international cricket
 
only one Akmal allowed in the squad. Take your pic...snr or jnr
 
Indiafan said:
Put a man on the cut and bowl short and wide. I can guarantee he will get out every single time. Thats how he was found out in international cricket
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not today, not when AKmal is in such a good form.
 
Times are so hard that we are desperate for a TTF comeback. This is the state of Pak cricket.
 
Needs to prove himself in the rest of the tournament. One good innings doesn't make him the next Kohli
 
in_cutter said:
Times are so hard that we are desperate for a TTF comeback. This is the state of Pak cricket.
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If he's the yardstick for TTF's then you really do have to feel despair when you look at our current T20 batsmen who aren't even has-beens, they would be better described as never-will-be's. Enjoy watching Rizwan scrabbling around trying to take a single off 3 balls in the death overs.
 
The problem with Akmals is, all of them that is, that they look a million dollars when they are not in the team. Introduce them in the team and it feels that they don't know which end to hold the bat from or how does the ball look like and how do you catch it.

Introduce him in the team and he will do the same again. Somethings in Pakistan cricket will never change and Akmals are one of them.
 
Compared to Akmal's Bradd Haddin's knock was more cultured, and more under pressure, had a combination of everything.. Akmal was just power hitting on every ball he faced

There was no death touch in his batting, only hard hits like a over extra cover and down the square leg to Ajmal
He was good today but that doesn't happen everyday, there was no creativity in his batting, no reliance on singles at all... opposition can expose that weakness of his
 
waleed88 said:
Compared to Akmal's Bradd Haddin's knock was more cultured, and more under pressure, had a combination of everything.. Akmal was just power hitting on every ball he faced

There was no death touch in his batting, only hard hits like a over extra cover and down the square leg to Ajmal
He was good today but that doesn't happen everyday, there was no creativity in his batting, no reliance on singles at all... opposition can expose that weakness of his
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No one is comparing Akmal to other international team's players though. We know he's not top class. But he is better than the weak and feeble players we've seen turning out for Pakistan in his place. Haris Sohail and Rizwan couldn't hit their way out of a wet paper bag.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
No one is comparing Akmal to other international team's players though. We know he's not top class. But he is better than the weak and feeble players we've seen turning out for Pakistan in his place. Haris Sohail and Rizwan couldn't hit their way out of a wet paper bag.
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Don't care to be very honest... but we have to move on from Akmal.. power hitting is not the only requirement for a batsman.. it looks good in a t20 game, but trust me there is more brains in the opposition to get Akmal out.. was surprised how Ajmal was persisted through and through.. and Sami got him out with 1 decent bouncer
 
Indiafan said:
Put a man on the cut and bowl short and wide. I can guarantee he will get out every single time. Thats how he was found out in international cricket
Click to expand...
agreed. his cut shot has let him down so many times
 
Knew he'd do well in PSL.

If he keeps this up and ends up at the top of the table for the run-scorers, then it's very hard to stop him from coming back. Especially when you take into account the fact that Latif is not a starter for IU, Fakhar may or may not start, Imam's not in the PSL, and Umar opening might just be a PP fantasy...

Let's see how Shahzaib does. Hopefully he's preferred over Khurram by KK, for starters!
 
Lol at people saying Kamran should replace Sarfraz as a WK too. :))

He's 35. Has maximum 2 years left in him.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
He always was. He's been ignored for reasons other than his ability, his scores in domestic cricket, not to mention his previous knocks at international level have always underlined his hitting power. It's a shame we have been inflicted with watching wannabe batsmen not fit to lace his shoes turning out for Pakistan the last 4 years.
Click to expand...

He has always been a confidence player. His shoddy keeping has affected his batting as well. Technically he is a sound keeper, but one mistakes goes to his head. I remember Ian Chappell calling him the next Gilchrist back in 2004 when he first burst onto the scene, and he indeed was brilliant both as a batsman and keeper at that time.

I think he would have hit great heights with the bat had he been relieved of the gloves and played as specialist batsman. Unfortunately it is too late now, but perhaps we should strike now that the iron is hot and draft him in for the WI tour.
 
Replace Umar Akmal with Kamran.

Umar is just too overweight and lethargic
 
He can replace his brother thats about it. Not good enough to dislodge any of the other batsmen in the side.
 
Should replace Misbah in tests ASAP.

Pakistan badly need an aggressive batsman like him in tests who can take on the bowlers.
 
Next WC is in 2019

T20 wc is in 2020

No point bringing back Kamran. People forget that he averages close to afridi

Yes there is an argument for the champions trophy, but that is a big gamble and I'd rather gamble on someone that has a future
 
One more innings like this and he's bound to get selected for the Windies tour. Not against his selection but I'd rather Umar open. Kamran should bat at 4.
 
The_Odd_One said:
Should replace Misbah in tests ASAP.

Pakistan badly need an aggressive batsman like him in tests who can take on the bowlers.
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Curious to know why Pakistan needs an aggressive batsman in tests when the ability most lacking in their team is that to draw tests which they can't win. Check how many times your batting collapsed in the last few years.
 
He's not "amazing" against pace. He's a thoroughly average batsman who looks good when his eye is in and is an inferior Shahid Afridi in that regard.

Man averages 26 in ODIs, barely 20 and 30 in T20s and tests respectively. His career SR isn't that good either. Plus, he's 35 years old.

I seriously worry about the health of people who want such a huge TTF back in the team. The era of Kamran, Malik, Afridi, Farhat, etc is over. Thank God.
 
Bilal7 said:
He's not "amazing" against pace. He's a thoroughly average batsman who looks good when his eye is in and is an inferior Shahid Afridi in that regard.

Man averages 26 in ODIs, barely 20 and 30 in T20s and tests respectively. His career SR isn't that good either. Plus, he's 35 years old.

I seriously worry about the health of people who want such a huge TTF back in the team. The era of Kamran, Malik, Afridi, Farhat, etc is over. Thank God.
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Correct. And with age not on his side you never know when his hand - eye coordination will desert him. Better to invest in a youngster.
 
Statsman said:
Curious to know why Pakistan needs an aggressive batsman in tests when the ability most lacking in their team is that to draw tests which they can't win. Check how many times your batting collapsed in the last few years.
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Because a lot of times Pakistani batsman go into their shells against fast bowlers. They block everything and then get out on low scores despite playing a large number of balls. Need a batsman who can keep the scoreboard ticking.
 
In red hot form, he could be a very useful upper order batsman for 1-2 years. He has done everything humanly possible to earn a call back.
 
One swallow doesn't make a summer.

I'd wait and see if Kamran can perform to this level for the rest of the tournament.
 
Indiafan said:
Put a man on the cut and bowl short and wide. I can guarantee he will get out every single time. Thats how he was found out in international cricket
Click to expand...

His wicket from the 11' semi-final is still fresh in the mind...
 
pakistanigoneaussie said:
Next WC is in 2019

T20 wc is in 2020

No point bringing back Kamran. People forget that he averages close to afridi

Yes there is an argument for the champions trophy, but that is a big gamble and I'd rather gamble on someone that has a future
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T20 WC is in 2018.
 
Bilal7 said:
He's not "amazing" against pace. He's a thoroughly average batsman who looks good when his eye is in and is an inferior Shahid Afridi in that regard.

Man averages 26 in ODIs, barely 20 and 30 in T20s and tests respectively. His career SR isn't that good either. Plus, he's 35 years old.

I seriously worry about the health of people who want such a huge TTF back in the team. The era of Kamran, Malik, Afridi, Farhat, etc is over. Thank God.
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I think its an embarrassment for our domestic circuit that a 35-year old has-been is head and shoulders above everyone. This notion of Pakistan producing talent has been smashed to pieces over the past two years even for the most die-hard supporter. Watching Amad Butt yesterday, you couldn't help but feel sorry for our future.
 
Nah, he's not a long term solution.

Makes no sense to select someone that doesn't have a future.

Everyone knew Azhar Ali was gonna fail as a skipper in 2015 when he was appointed. We all gave him a chance, but he failed as a skipper and as a batsmen. He JUST hung his captaincy boots but that's 2 years gone that could have been used on someone else (preferably someone who at least merits a spot in the team). 2 years of grooming that have been wasted.

No point in reselecting Kam if he is only a CT-esque solution. Try other options (Fakhar, Shahzaib) who at least have the time to develop and play for Pak in the long term (if they have talent/promise).
 
Here we go again. Fans want Kamran back only to get disappointed once more. The guy has a damn average of 26 after 154 ODIs and we still want him back. We never learn .
 
Chief Destroyer said:
LOIs. What do you mean everyone should bat at 4?
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Kamran at #4 in ODIs as well?

Where do the likes of Sarfraz, Malik, Hafeez play?

Everyone in our current side wants to bat at 4 and seems to be suited towards 4, be it Sarfraz, Umar, Malik, Hafeez, Haris, even Rizwan. And now we're talking about putting Kamran there.
 
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