 Pakistani cricket is potentially running into another controversy over the selection
of their wicket-keeper for the third and the final Test match against Australia.
Kamran Akmal and Sarfraz Ahmed are the two wicket-keepers in running for
a place in the final game, and both have been given the impression that they will
play in the final game at Hobart which will be played at Tasmania in Hobart.
The problem for Pakistan started in the second test match where the frontline
wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal had a really bad game and dropped four catches. This,
according to many, was the reason why the Pakistanis lost a game that they should
have won easily. The PCB reacted swiftly and Sarfraz Ahmed, who is a
wicket-keeper, was flown to Australia for the third Test. Pakistani cricket
board also made an announcement that Ahmed will be keeping the wickets in the
final game.
However, what has added to the controversy is that the incumbent keeper Akmal
hasn't had any doubts about the fact that he will still be a part of the playing
eleven in the final game. In fact, he has gone ahead to suggest that not only
will he play in the final game, but also play as a wicket-keeper-batsman and
not purely as a batsman only. He said, "I am very happy with being wicketkeeper-batsman,
not only batsman. I have played for Pakistan as a wicketkeeper-batsman with
pride, so hopefully I am playing a similar role"
To put it effectively, Akmal seems to have defied his board's orders. However,
the selectors for Pakistan only select the squad, whereas the final eleven
is chosen by the four on-tour selectors; the coach, captain, vice-captain and
the manager. Funnily, Akmal is also the vice-captain of the side, and has the
backing of his captain, Mohammad Yousuf as well. This will mean that
the votes are tied, in which case the captain's vote will be counted twice over,
paving way for Akmal's selection.
Akmal acknowledged his own role in the selection panel when he said, "Nothing
is on my mind as a batsman. I am playing as a wicketkeeper-batsman. Before the
match there is a selection meeting and I will decide with the coach and captain
if I'm playing or not."
This open clash with the cricket board will almost most certainly add more
pressure on the Pakistanis cricket set-up with the ministers having already
called for the sacking of the board chief. It remains to be seen whether the
captain bows down to the board's demands or if the captain has his way and selects
Akmal.
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