Pakistan Cricket Players: Kamran Akmal

Kamran Akmal Biography

One probably has to date back to Imtiaz Ahmed in the early 50s to find a Pakistani who wicket-keeper doubled up as an accomplished batsman. In Moin Khan and Rahid Latif, Kamran Akmal’s much-rotated predecessors, Pakistan too followed the sportwide trend of specialists behind the stumps with average batting ability. The arrival of Adam Gilchrist bucked the trend, and Kamran became Pakistan’s own wicket-keeper batsman. Still, doubts are often raised over Akmal’s ability with the glove, in contrast to his assured batting prowess. At one point, 4 dropped catches off Michael Hussey even led to matchfixing allegations. It rightly indicates towards Akmal primarily being a batsman who was later augmented to a glovesman.

Into just his third Test inning during his debut tour to Zimbabwe in 2002, Kamran Akmal notched his first International half-century. Only in early 2005 against West Indies was Akmal’s batting given additional exposure, sent as an opening partner to Imran Nazir (previously a lower order player) to face West Indies. A century ensued, Akmal’s career-first, and growing doubts over his shoddy wicket-keeping were set aside. Constant pressure to perform well with the bat as to find grace with his keeping shortcomings helped Akmal to 5 International tons (3 Test, 2 ODI) between November 2005 and January 2006. He played his first World Cup in 2007, in part of Pakistan’s poor showing at the Caribbean.

Riding on that purple patch between late 2005/early 2006, Akmal’s form deteriorated, in a slump that witnessed only 2 additional centuries in ODI and Tests each from 2006 to mid-2010. But his knack of scoring runs in quick time saw Kamran’s inclusion in the prolific Pakistani T20 side, helping his team to the T20 World Cup win in 2009. During the tournament, improvements were also evident in his keeping evidenced by his 4 stumpings against Netherlands. After two decades shifting keeping duties, Akmal’s stability behind the sticks is a welcome change for Pakistan.

Fast Facts

With over 5500 runs to his credit, Akmal is Pakistan’s highest run-getter for a wicket-keeper.

Those figures also inducts Akmal among the top 10 keepers in the world.

His 11 International centuries for Pakistan is more than twice as much as his Moin Khan, who is Pakistan’s second-highest ton-getter with 4.

Those 11 centuries are also tied fourth-highest among International wicketkeepers, same as MS Dhoni while training Adam Gilchrist, Andy Flower and Kumar Sangakkara.

As of 2010, with 307 catches and 70 International stumpings, Akmal is second best only to Moin Khan who has 341 and 93 respectively.

His 307 catches are more than Sri Lankan Romesh Kaluwitharana while his 70 stumpings pips him above even Australian Ian Healy.

The 5 in 15 (innings) 100s between November 2005 and Jan 2006 were the most for any batsman during that period. Ricky Pointing had as many tons in 20 innings, while Rahul Dravid scored 3 centuries in as many innings.

His career strike rate of 63.24 in Tests is the second highest for a Pakistani batsman behind Shahid Afridi.

It’s also fourth best among keepers, behind Adam Gilchrist, Don Tallon and Matt Prior.

Along with brother Umar Akmal, the Akmals are the 4th blood brothers to feature for Pakistan in the 60-odd years of Span:

Test: 2002-2010 ODI: 2002-2011 T20: 2006-2010 IPL: 2008-2008

Test

Debut:

Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Harare (Salisbury) - Nov 09, 2002

Last played:

Pakistan Vs England at Lord's, London - Aug 26, 2010

ODI

Debut:

Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe at Queen's Sports Club, Bulawayo - Nov 23, 2002