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Mohammad Yousuf’s team are on a collision course with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, amid angry calls at home for sackings after the side’s devastating loss in Sydney.
The besieged gloveman says he has the support of his teammates, coaching staff and tour management, many of whom have been named along with him as facing the axe in a PCB review slated for after this tour.
Pakistan’s parliament has at the same time however called for the dismissal of the PCB’s chief Ijaz Butt following last week’s defeat to Australia in the second Test in Sydney.
Kamran says he is expecting to play in Thursday’s third Test in Hobart, despite his PCB replacement Sarfraz Ahmed arriving in Hobart on Sunday.
A PCB statement last week said: “Ahmed will be participating in the third Test in Hobart.”
Skipper Yousuf is standing by the ‘keeper, refusing to cast him out after his four dropped catches and bungled run out in Sydney.
Yousuf has brushed off Kamran’s poor performance as an aberration, saying he played well in New Zealand and deserves his backing.
Kamran meanwhile describes his Sydney performance as “one bad day” in a long successful career.
“I was very successful with my batting and wicketkeeping on the New Zealand tour and before the New Zealand tour. So I was very happy,” Kamran told AAP in Hobart on Sunday.
“But I think the third day of the Sydney Test match was not good for me – this happens.
“I’m very keen. My confidence is very high.
“Inshallah, definitely, for this upcoming Test match … I will perform very well.
“Management is very confident for me and coaches, Intikhab Alam, Waqar Younis, Aqib Javed, and my teammates also.
“I will play the third Test match and more matches for my country.”
Kamran says former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy has been helping him with his glove work.
“I’ve been picked for the Pakistan team for the past ten years and for the last eight years I’ve been playing as wicketkeeper/batsman,” Kamran said, dismissing suggestions he’d play as a specialist batsman.
“I know the people are very disappointed for this performance in the Sydney Test match – definitely back home is very crazy.
“My feeling is also very bad after the Sydney Test match because I think four dropped catches is enough.
“I’m concentrating on calming down and performing well in the next Test match.
“It was a bad day, the third day of the Sydney Test, I think it is my worst day.
“But it is equal for any cricketer. Ricky Ponting is one of the best batsman but he’s not getting too many runs at the moment.
“Marcus North, Michael Clarke all I think are the best batsmen in the world. But they get encouragement.
“I’ve moved on, it’s behind me. Every day is a new day I think for next Test match.”
The Australian team arrives in Hobart on Sunday night.
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