Ex-players lash out at adamant Akma

Embattled Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has come in for sharp criticism for his statement that he would play the final Test against Australia in Hobart as a specialist glovesman and not as a batsman alone.

Embattled Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has come in for sharp criticism for his statement that he would play the final Test against Australia in Hobart as a specialist glovesman and not as a batsman alone.

HT Image

Akmal's statement came even though the Pakistan Cricket Board and national selectors have rushed in young Sarfaraz Ahmed to Australia as his replacement and said he would play in the Hobart Test.

"Akmal's statement just shows what is going on in the Pakistan team right now. The whole nation does not want him to play after his poor performance in the Sydney Test and yet he is insisting he will play, saying the management and players also supporting him," former captain Rashid Latif told a television channel.

"I don't understand what is happening in Pakistan cricket. The board and selectors have sent another keeper to Australia to apparently play him in the third Test and the team management is still insisting Akmal will play," Latif said.

Akmal dropped four important catches and missed a run out in the Sydney test which Pakistan having dominated for three days but still lost by 36 runs to hand Australia the three match series 0-2.