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Akmal can be promoted: Imitiaz
While the former Pak wicket-keeper termed his achievement in 1961 series as a "normal century", he praised Kamran Akmal profusely.
Doughty Pakistani wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, who scored a defiant ton in the first Test to save his team from certain defeat, can be promoted in batting order in Kolkata, says his predecessor Imtiaz Ahmed.
"Akmal had also scored a century against the West Indies in a One-Day International recently (in Australia). It shows he is capable of batting up the order," Ahmed said in an interview.
Ahmed watched Akmal's match-saving 109-run knock — and his record 184-run seventh-wicket partnership — in the second-innings at Mohali last week which ended in a draw.
With his almost four-hour knock, Akmal became the first Pakistani stumper to score a century against India since Ahmed scored 135 as an opener at Chennai in the 1961 series.
While Ahmed termed his achievement as a "normal century", the 77-year-old praised Akmal profusely.
"He played so well that I guess his name will figure on top of the cricket history, especially in Pakistan cricket," he said.
"He saved the Test, and that too a match that was virtually lost. It's just like winning the match," said Ahmed, who is an advisor to the women's cricket wing of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
After conceding a 204-run lead in the first innings, Akmal and Abdul Razzaq (71) staged a remarkable rally to draw the game after Pakistan had lost three second-innings wickets for a mere 10 runs.
Delving into the outstanding features of Akmal's defiant knock, Ahmed said: "Our top batsmen tried to let us down. And the latter batsmen, especially Akmal and Razzaq, not only saved Pakistan from defeat, but also scored runs at good pace. It shows we also have players who have determination."
The Lahore-based Ahmed said Akmal had "all the ingredients that a good wicket-keeper" should possess, and pointed out that despite the "disadvantage" of his short height, he had done well.
