KAMRAN AKMAL INSISTS HE IS TRYING HIS BEST IN THE ICC WORLD CUP 2011

Kamran Akmal insists he is trying his best in the ICC World Cup 2011

Pakistan’s wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal insists that he is trying his level best to give a commendable performance in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2011.

The 29-year-old while talking to a Pakistani newspaper said, “I’m trying my best for the team. Every player commits a few mistakes and faces difficulties during his career. I’m trying to get through this phase and improve my performance.”

Akmal’s performance behind the stumps was put under question once again after he missed many chances in the clash against Sri Lanka in a World Cup Group A match.

Akmal has failed to impress anyone with his batting either in the three outings that he has had. The once hard-hitting batsman scored 55, 39 and 16 runs against Kenya, Sri Lanka and Canada respectively.

Talking about his batting form, he said, “I have a good chance of making big scores considering my batting position and I’m aiming for that.”

He hoped his batting would improve as the tournament progresses. With openers Mohammad Hafeez andAhmed Shehzad struggling with the bat, it is imperative that Akmal finds his form and contributes a few big knocks for his team.

Pakistan are heavily depending on the expertise of middle order batsmen Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq who have so far put up a commendable performance. But the rest of the batting line-up needs to perform soon in order to be able to face the stronger sides in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

For Akmal, this is not the first time that his performance behind the stumps has been criticised. Almost throughout his career, he has on numerous occasions made a mess of straightforward stumpings and catches. In 2010, he was bombarded with criticism after Pakistan lost poorly to Australia in a Test series in which the Men in Green could not win a single game as Akmal dropped sitters in the Sydney Test. As a result, he was left out of the series against South Africa that was played in the United Arab Emirates.

Another reason for his ouster from the national team was his suspected links with bookmakers. He had to give all the details of his financial assets to the Pakistan Cricket Board before even being considered for the World Cup. However, the wicketkeeper cleared his name by cooperating with the Board and ultimately made his comeback in the national outfit.

Tagged in: cricket, India, Younis Khan, Bangladesh, World Cup, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez,Pakistan, Sri Lanka, ICC, 2011, International Cricket Council, Misbah-ul-Haq, Ahmed Shehzad