KARACHI: Kamran Akmal may have impressed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee with his outstanding domestic performances, but he is yet to convince the team management for his inclusion in the ODI squad for the Australia series next month.
It has been reported in the media that the selection committee, headed by former captain Inzamamul Haq, has recommended players for the forthcoming five-match series in which they have put weight behind out-of-favour Kamran, who has not played for Pakistan since 2014 World T20 in Bangladesh. However, the team management has shown reluctance to include the seasoned cricketer. “The team management in Australia is opposing Kamran’s selection,” an official close to the matter was quoted as saying Wednesday. “They don’t see Kamran in their plans at the moment. With wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed in great form and the top-order batsmen also performing well, the management doesn’t feel the need to include Kamran in the squad.” The selection committee, meanwhile, wants to reward Kamran for his brilliant performances in domestic cricket. He was the top scorer in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, scoring 1,035 runs at an average of almost 80 runs per innings.
The wicketkeeper is also showing good form in the ongoing National One-day Cup in which he has scored 244 runs, including a century and half-century from five games. “The selection committee is still pushing for Kamran’s inclusion and they want him in the squad. The discussions are still under way and the decision is yet to be taken. Coach Mickey Arthur is not fond of recalling senior players and instead wants to try youngsters, a fact which may go against Kamran,” added the official. Kamran, 34, has been questioning his snub from the national team despite showing consistent performances in domestic cricket. The wicketkeeper reportedly also appealed to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to look into his case and ensure merit in the team’s selection.
Meanwhile, the selection committee has also recommended the names of fast-bowlers Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan and Sohail Tanvir for the series and one of them is likely to travel to Australia for the series. “Irfan is showing signs of good fitness in the National One-day Cup and the team management feels he can be effective in Australian conditions. Junaid and Tanvir’s selection is also under consideration by the team management after recommendations by the selection committee,” he added. Mohammad Hafeez, who has returned as an all-rounder in the ongoing National One-day Cup after getting the International Cricket Council’s clearance to bowl again, is also under consideration by the team management after getting go-ahead from the selection committee. The five-match series between Pakistan and Australia will start in Brisbane on January 13.