23 Facts about Kamran Akmal - Pakistan's long lost wicketkeeping Warrior

If it was Adam Gilchrist who initiated the era of attacking batsmanship by the wicket-keepers, then it was surely Kamran Akmal who brought this trend to the subcontinent along with MS Dhoni. Kamran Akmal is one of the finest wicketkeepers to have represented Pakistan. Over the years, his keeping might have faced the odds but his batting has lived to the mark time and again. An attacking stroke maker by choice, Akmal is certainly a treat to watch when in sublime touch. Here are some of the most amazing facts about Kamran Akmal:

1. Early life:

Kamran Akmal was born on January 13, 1982 at Pindi Bhattian. He had an inclination towards the game of cricket since his childhood. Kamran was the eldest among the three brothers. His brothers Adnan Akmal and Umar Akmal have also represented Pakistan.

2. Schooling:

Kamran is a graduate of Beaconhouse School System Garden Town, Lahore.

3. Participation in the U15 Challenge Cup:

Kamran was seen as a potential wicket keeping batsman at a very young age. He had the privilege to be a part of the Pakistan team that participated in the U15 Challenge Cup held in England in 1996. The tournament saw young stars like Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Kaif and Taufiq Umar take part along with him.

4. Young first-class debut:

In the year 1997, Kamran made his first-class debut. He played for the Lahore team. It was a time when the Lahore side boasted of international stars like Abdul Razzaq and Salim Elahi. However, Akmal had a rather forgettable debut as he was out for a duck.

5. Picked in the U19 team along with Imran Tahir:

Kamran Akmal represented the Pakistan U19 team in a series against the Australia U19 in 1997. The Pakistan team boasted of players like Hasan Raza and Imran Tahir (who now plays for South Africa). Akmal was the youngest in the side along with Raza, both being 15 years of age. Australia U19 was captained by Brad Haddin.

6. International debut:

Akmal was picked up in the national team for the tour to Zimbabwe in 2002. He was dismissed for a duck and was clean bowled by Raymond Price. In the 2nd innings, he made 38 but Price again got through his defenses to hit the stumps. He picked up 4 catches across both the innings as the wicketkeeper. He made his ODI debut in the same series.

7. In the league with Rashid Latif and Moin Khan:

The wicket-keeper’s slot was largely fought for between Rashid Latif and Moin Khan in Pakistan. But with Moin Khan losing out on his batting form and Rashid Latif’s ordinary show at the ICC World Cup of 2003, prompted the selectors to look beyond the two legends. Kamran got a look in again and soon he became the permanent wicketkeeper of the National Side.

8. 7 Centuries in space of 6 months:

During the 2005-06 season, Akmal was at his peak best as he scored 7 international centuries in the space of 6 months. It included 4 Test tons and 3 ODI tons. 3 out of his 4 Test tons in that season came against India.

9. Career defining moment:

Kamran Akmal’s temperament was put to test during the first Test of Pakistan’s tour to India in 2005 at Mohali. Coming in to bat on the penultimate evening with his side at six down and just having wiped out the first-innings deficit, Akmal settled down to score a memorable ton. He put on 184 runs off 337 balls with Abdul Razzaq for the 7th wicket to ensure that he took his side away from the defeat. He scored 109 off 154 balls. This innings is regarded as the best innings that Akmal has ever played.

10. Back to back tons against England:

When England toured Pakistan in 2005, it was Akmal who stood firm with the bat. He was promoted to the opening slot and he did full justice to his promotion. Chasing 230, he scored 102 off 111 balls in 2nd ODI to see Pakistan win by 7 wickets. In the next match at Karachi, it was Akmal’s 109 off 111 balls that helped the hosts post 353 on the board. Pakistan won by 165 runs.

11. Match winning finish:

During the 1st ODI between Pakistan and West Indies at Abu Dhabi in 2008, Pakistan were set a target of 295. Kamran Akmal was the hero of the match as he struck 24 off 9 deliveries with 3 sixes to take Pakistan over the line with a ball to spare. In the last over of a nail-biting finish, Akmal hit two sixes off Jerome Taylor to seize the game for the hosts.

12. Butter fingers:

His wicketkeeping form dipped and it was evident as he often dropped more catches than he held. In a Test match against Australia in 2009-10 at Sydney, he dropped 4 catches in one session, dropping Mike Hussey thrice. Hussey went on to score a century that led Australia to a win. Akmal was heavily criticized. His poor form continued during Pakistan’s tour to England. The match saw Akmal drop three easy catches and miss a stumping. The match as a consolation saw Akmal take a superb catch of Kevin Pietersen before dropping a catch on the very next ball against Paul Collingwood. In the first innings Akmal dropped a catch of Eoin Morgan when he was on 23 who then went on to score 130.

13. Match fixing allegations:

After dropping four catches in the Sydney Test, he was under the scanner for match fixing. The ICC confirmed that Akmal had been barred from entering the team. It was said that he would be eligible for selection only when the investigation is complete.

14. Brother love from Umar:

When Kamran was dropped following the match-fixing allegations, his brother Umar Akmal faked an injury in order to show his protest and be unavailable for the National Selection. A few months later the two Akmal’s were fined by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

15. Most dismissals in a Test match:

When Pakistan played the West Indies at Kingston on 2005, Kamran Akmal made the record for having most dismissals in a match by Pakistani player. He had 9 catches to his name in the match and he equaled the previous record held by Rashid Latif who had caught 9 against New Zealand in 1994. He also has 8 dismissals in a match to his name on 3 occasions, the most by any Pakistan wicket-keeper.

16. Record for most dismissals in a T20:

Kamran Akmal holds the record for most dismissals in a T20 match. He inflicted 4 stumpings in the match against Netherlands at the Lords during the 2009 ICC World T20.

17. Record for most dismissals in T20 career:

Kamran Akmal is by far the most successful wicketkeeper for Pakistan in T20 cricket. He leads the pack with 60 dismissals (28 catches and 32 stumpings) in 54 matches. The next best is Umar Akmal’s tally of just 13 dismissals in 68 matches.

18. IPL career:

Kamran Akmal was a part of the Rajasthan Royals franchise during the inaugural edition of the IPL. He played five matches in the tournament, as wicketkeeper and top-order batsman, including the final of the tournament against the Chennai Super Kings. In the match against Kings XI Punjab, he smoked Sreesanth for 3 consecutive sixes.

19. Major caps:

Kamran Akmal has represented various teams in leagues across the globe. The major teams that he has been a part of are: Asia XI, Lahore, Lahore City, Lahore Eagles, Lahore Lions, National Bank of Pakistan, Punjab Stallions, Rajasthan Royals, Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, Chittagong Vikings.

20. Phenomenal record in Tests:

Kamran Akmal is the second most successful wicketkeeper for Pakistan in Tests after Wasim Bari. He is ahead of the likes of Rashid Latif and Moin Khan in the list. Akmal has 206 dismissals to his name in 53 matches and is very close to Wasim Bari’s total of 228 dismissals in 81 matches. He has the best dismissal per innings ratio for any Pakistan wicket keeper with more than 50 dismissals.

21. Personal Life:

Kamran Akmal married in 2006 and lives with his wife, Aaiza, and their daughter, Laiba.

22. Cricket in the Blood:

Kamran comes from a family of cricketers. His younger brothers Umar Akmal and Adnan Akmal have both played for Pakistan at the international level. While Umar is tipped as the next generation batting master of the team, Adnan had his moment of glory when he made his appearances for the National Side. His cousin Mohammad Babar captained the Pakistan U19 team in the ICC U19 World Cup in 2012.

23. A Phenomenal domestic wicketkeeper batsman:

Having played 183 first-class matches, Akmal has 8591 runs to his name with 17 centuries and 42 half-centuries to go with a top score of 268. He has inflicted 674 dismissals, 622 catches and 52 stumpings, which in itself proves his credentials as a wicket keeping batsman.