Buoyant Kamran hopes to keep shining on home soil

SHARJAH: When Peshawar Zalmi lost against Quetta Gladiators in Dubai on March 10, they were left facing an uphill task in their quest to defend the coveted HBL Pakistan Super League crown.

With just six points from eight games, they needed to win their last two remaining matches in the group stage to stay alive. And then win three more to retain the title.

With great help from one man, they have overcome one hurdle.

Kamran Akmal hit 75 against Karachi Kings and then played the best knock of PSL 3 – an undefeated 107 – to lead Peshawar to a commanding win against Lahore Qalandars.

Ready to fly to Lahore for Tuesday’s playoff against Quetta Gladiators, Kamran hoped that he will take his golden form into the business end of the PSL.

“It’s great that we are through (to the playoffs),” said Kamran, who completed his 5000 runs in T20 cricket with help of what was his fourth century in the format.

“Insha-Allah we will continue our good form and I’ll also try my best to continue my form,” said Kamran, who played 53 Tests, 157 One-day Internationals and 58 T20 Internationals for Pakistan.

He was recalled last year for an ODI against the West Indies at Providence but hasn’t played for Pakistan since.

Asked whether he was fancying his chances of an international comeback, Kamran said that he was just focused on Peshawar’s next game.

“I’m only focusing on each match as it comes,” he said.

Kamran said that he was excited to play in his hometown Lahore.

“We will go to Lahore, then Karachi (for the final). Very soon, an entire PSL will be played in Pakistan insha-Allah,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars’ captain Brendon McCullum advised the under-performing Umar Akmal to learn from his elder brother.

Umar, who was the team’s Platinum pick, was dropped by Qalandars after scoring just 57 runs from five PSL outings.

“Umar is an incredible talent but he has had his issues which are well documented around this place as well,” he said.

“Today, he got a great blueprint of what he should do from his brother and I am sure he sat back and thought he could be in a situation like this in the future. But he has to make sure that he is performing to get those opportunities,” McCullum said.