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Pakistan drop fumbling wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal for Bellerive Test

By Ben Dorries
January 08, 2010
An embarrassed Pakistan has summoned a new wicketkeeper and launched a major review of the team in Australia after dropping the fumbling Kamran Akmal.

Akmal, who dropped four catches in the second Test at the SCG, has been labelled overweight and simply not good enough.

Replacement keeper Sarfraz Ahmed, 22, is part of a rescue mission for Thursday’s third Test in Hobart.

The Pakistan Cricket Board was in damage control on Thursday night and said in a statement it had the “utmost concern” about the team’s collapse at the SCG, where Australia fought back in stunning fashion to win by 36 runs.

“He had too many technical faults, had put on too much weight for a wicketkeeper of his size and wearing a helmet to spinners was really hampering him ”
– Rashid Latif
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper slams the fumbling Akmal “An overall review of performance of the team shall be carried out by the board after completion of the Australian tour,” the statement said.

“Pakistan Cricket Board shows its utmost concern over the poor performance of Pakistan cricket team.

“As an urgent action, it was agreed to send wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed to Australia.”

Sarfraz was quoted as saying he had received an SOS from the national selectors.

“The call-up has come as a pleasant surprise and if I get a chance to play I will do my best for my country,” Sarfraz said.

Kamran was axed for a series of blunders. He dropped Mike Hussey three times on the way to a match-turning century and spilled a regulation catch off Peter Siddle.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif insisted Kamran had to be dropped.

“He had too many technical faults, had put on too much weight for a wicketkeeper of his size and wearing a helmet to spinners was really hampering him,” Latif said on the Cricinfo website.

Shockwaves from Pakistan’s loss continued to hit hard on thursday, with skipper Mohammad Yousuf again insisting too much Twenty20 cricket was to blame for rash shots.

Instead of a calling for a new wicketkeeper, Yousuf said Pakistan needed a batting coach.

“What I can see is that we need batsmen, we really need batsmen with temperament,” Yousuf said.

“There should be a batting coach. You have a fielding coach, bowling coach, all are there, so why not a batting coach?

“I have said before as well, we are not building temperament of how to build an innings and a chase.

“Everyone plays Twenty20, but they all change when they come into Test cricket.

“Ours don’t change. Our momentum stays the same.

“Five days and a three-hour game is a big difference. Twenty20 is an easy game. There is no pressure.”

After the SCG loss, Yousuf was quick to back his wicketkeeper.

“Things like this happen in cricket,” Yousuf said.

“Kamran is always trying his best.

“You tell me, how can we afford to give him a rest?

“He is such a good batsman. He scored well in New Zealand and we need him here.”

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