After his disastrous outing at the Trent Bridge Test where he failed to manage
to score a single run from both the innings, it was obvious that brickbats were
in waiting for Pakistan Glove man Kamran Akmal. And as expected Akmal failed
to get the selectors nod for the Friday Test against England at Edgbaston. Other
than having a disastrous outing with the willow, Akmal also squandered several
chances behind the stumps.
Akmal's disastrous outing behind the stumps also included a missed chance to
collect a low edge from Eoin Morgan when on 5, as Morgan went on to dash
Pakistan's chances in the match with his century. Akmal was Collingwood's angel
behind the stumps as he reprieved him in both the innings.
A veteran of 51 Tests and in the Test squad for more than 7 years, Akmal's
experience and heroics with the bat have always worked for his favor. With 2624
runs at an average of 32, that includes 6 centuries, Akmal has been a major
driving force in the Pakistani middle order with an added responsibility to
collect quick runs and forge partnerships with the tail enders at the end.
Akmal has been another specimen brought up in the 'Gilchrist' frame who on
his day can change the course of the match with the bat, and with the gloves
is safe behind the stumps if not as good as the Aussie. His entry into the Pakistan
team ended the long time continuing dog fight between the duo of Rashid Latif
and Moin Khan, but in recent times Akmal's career behind the stumps has been
dotted with numerous clumsy errors.
With more than 34 missed chances in last Tests, Akmal came under suspicion
for his performance at the Sydney Test earlier this year where he failed to
dismiss David Hussey even after being provided with three chances, all by Danish
Kaneria. This continuous generosity by the 28 year old from Lahore led to special
attention and scrutiny by the ICC Anti Corruption Unit.
As a replacement for the tried and tested Akmal, Pakistan decided to field
24 year old Reserve Keeper from Lahore, Zulqarnain Haider. He was a member
of the squad that won the Under 19 World Cup against the West Indies at Dhaka
in 2004. He was called into the Test team next year but till now has made only
a solitary T20 appearance.
Pakistani captain Salman Butt refused to term Akmal as being 'dropped'
from the Test, rather termed him as being rested. He sounded positive regarding
his form and further availability and termed this lean patch of his as a period
that every cricketer goes through and was sure of having a comeback from him.
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