Dropped Kamran ready to play as batsman
Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who was dropped from Pakistan's squad for the Twenty20 and ODI tour of West Indies, has said that he is ready to make his comeback into the national side as a "specialist batsman"
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Apr-2011
Kamran Akmal is ready to hang up his wicketkeeping gloves and become a specialist batsman in a bid to make a comeback to the national side • Getty Images
Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who was dropped from Pakistan's squad for the Twenty20 and ODI tour of West Indies, has said that he is ready to make his comeback into the national side as a "specialist batsman".
"If Pakistan can find a better wicketkeeper than me," Kamran told Express Tribune, "then I will try to make a comeback as a specialist batsman because batting is something I enjoy a lot and I can bat at any position."
Kamran was dropped from the Pakistan squad following a disappointing World Cup campaign, with bat and gloves - he dropped centurion Ross Taylor three times in the game against New Zealand, including twice early on, and also committed several errors in the games against Sri Lanka and the semi-final with India. Coach Waqar Younis had hinted that it was time for a new wicketkeeper to be picked.
Kamran said that he was still disappointed with his performance in the New Zealand game. "And some people don`t want me to forget it. The day seemed to be cursed. People just criticise and forget my past performances. I also love my team and I`m the one who suffers the most because of the missed chances."
Kamran, who has made six hundreds in 53 Tests and five in 137 ODIs, said he was working hard on his wicketkeeping and batting as he was desperate to make a comeback to the national team. "I want to serve my country in whatever role the selectors see for me in the side."
Mohammad Salman was picked as the wicketkeeper for the one-day series in West Indies, and reports suggest that Kamran is unlikely to be called up for the two Tests that follow in the Caribbean. Kamran suggested that the focus was only on his shoddy performances, while his overall performance, both as a wicketkeeper and batsman were being ignored.
"It is true I have had some bad matches in recent months but my performances should be viewed on overall basis. Overall my performance as a wicketkeeper has been fine and I`ve one of the highest dismissals among all the wicketkeepers who have played for Pakistan."