Kamran Akmal becomes first Pakistani to score four consecutive 50s in T20s

Pakistan‘s discarded keeper-batsman Kamran Akmal became the first player from their country to spank four consecutive half-centuries. Akmal has been representing the Lahore Whites in the National T20 Tournament back in Pakistan and spanked three sixes and stroked four boundaries to score 52 off 40 deliveries on Tuesday.

Earlier in the tournament, he registered scores of 65 against Rawalpindi, 63 against FATA, and 52 against Karachi Whites. The 35-year-old sent a strong message to the Pakistani selection committee and they might be considering him for the shortest format soon. Before heading to New Zealand for a limited-overs tour, most of the senior team players are a part of this tournament to hit some form.

The second largest streak of consecutive T20 50s

Kamran Akmal’s four-match half-centuries streak happens to be the longest by a Pakistani cricketer and the second best in T20 history. Some popular names like Virat Kohli, M Rawat, Shaiman Anwar, Usman Khawaja, Martin Guptill, Kevin Pietersen, M Klinger, HE van der Dussen, A Rahane, C Kieswetter, Sikandar Raza, Chris Gayle, M Trescothick, JL Denly and LA Carseldine achieved the feat previously.

Akmal will now be eyeing the largest streak, which happens to be five. Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza achieved the feat previously and also the swashbuckling Virender Sehwag, who clobbered five successive fifties in the IPL for the Delhi Daredevils. If he can get another half-century, Akmal will be joining an elite list of players.

Despite playing 53 Tests, 157 ODIs, and 58 T20Is, Akmal remained a peripheral part of the side due to his inconsistency. His brother Umar Akmal too was an integral part of the unit and was touted as the future of their lineup, but now, even he is struggling to earn his place back.

Kamran did make a stunning comeback into the national side earlier this year with some wonderful performances at the domestic level. But he failed to earn a place in the team that traveled to England for the Champions Trophy, and eventually brought the cup back home.