Kamran’s blitz fails to convince Arthur

LAHORE: Despite amassing runs in domestic tournaments as well as Pakistan Super League, Kamran Akmal’s return to the national team seems unlikely as head coach Mickey Arthur says he has been given enough chances in the past. Kamran hit the only century in the third edition of the PSL and the fastest fifty.

Speaking at a press conference after the match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings on Wednesday, Arthur complimented the opener by saying that “he batted outstandingly, and is a really good batsman”, but then immediately questioned Akmal’s fielding talent.

Arthur named Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Agha Salman and Shaheen Shah Afridi as the find of this season of the PSL. He said that Kamran had been given enough chances to prove himself, but he had failed to cope with the pressure in international matches.

He said the pressure in international cricket was very different from that of leagues.Kamran made 77 off 27 deliveries to propel defending champions Peshawar Zalmi into the PSL final, as they beat Karachi Kings by 13 runs at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.

Kamran last played for Pakistan in the series against West Indies in April 2017, having been the top run-scorer in the last PSL tournament. Peshawar Zalmi face Islamabad United in the final in Karachi.

The Kings coach blamed poor bowling and injuries of Shahid Afridi and Imad Wasim for the loss in the eliminator.Meanwhile, Kamran said that the credit for reaching the final goes to the whole team.

“The match against Karachi Kings was a do-or-die situation for us and thanks God we did it,” he told a radio channel.“We wanted to put up a good total on the scoreboard as the boundary was a bit small,” he said.

He particularly praised his opening partner Andre Fletcher. “At one moment it seemed that Karachi Kings would chase the target but we are happy that we won the game,” he said.

“It was not easy to defend the total but our bowlers bowled very well.“This match and the last three games were just like a final for us,” he said and added it was his parents and family’s prayers due to which he achieved such a feat.

Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi praised skipper Darren Sammy and stated that his side was ready to take on Islamabad United.

He also thanked Pakistan Army for ensuring that the second eliminator did take place even after rain. “I would like to thank the Pakistan Army for their dedication towards making our match against KK possible despite all the rain and the wet outfield. Not easy to make the ground ready in very little amount of time. Kudos! @OfficialDGISPR,” said Afridi on social media.