Kamran Akmal: "Saeed Ajmal Remains a Match winner" by PakPassion.Net

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Player:

Kamran Akmal

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DateLine: 17th May 2010

 

Defeated but not disgraced is the phrase that best describes the Pakistani cricket team at the moment.

 

A team that was deprived of several of its key players prior to the World Cup finals in the Caribbean, Pakistan were regarded by most as underdogs and certainly not amongst the favourites.

 

Whilst most experts felt that Australia or India were the fancied teams, the Pakistan team were mentioned as also rans, despite being the holders.

 

A win against Bangladesh and then a heavy defeat to the Australians was not the most auspicious start. Pakistan stumbled into the Super 8s and a thrashing by England in their first match of the second phase left most Pakistani fans fearing an early exit. The heavy defeat to England was followed by a heartbreaking last ball defeat to New Zealand and Pakistan was all but out of the competition.

 

Even a win in the final Super 8s match against the South Africans didn't guarantee progress and it was only down to England's defeat of New Zealand that Pakistan progressed to the semi finals.

 

Of course what ensued on that day in Saint Lucia will be etched on the minds of the Pakistani fans and players for the rest of their lives. A game that was in their grasp was taken away from them by a cricketer who goes by the name of Mr Cricket. Heartbreak, agony, despair, pain and disbelief - it was all etched on the Pakistani players faces at the end of the match.

 

Speaking exclusively to *PakPassion.net* Pakistan wicketkeeper and Kamran Akmal was still in a state of shock at the manner of the defeat at the hands of Australia.

 

"Yes the defeat was hard to take. We were in control for so much of the match and to lose the match in that way was very difficult to stomach".

 

Akmal's team mate Saeed Ajmal was the bowler who suffered at the hands of Mike Hussey as the Australian batsman unleashed an array of strokes that yielded him 60 runs off only 24 deliveries. Akmal though defended Saeed Ajmal and labelled him a match winner.

 

"Saeed is a magnificent competitor, a great bowler and someone who remains a match winner. He has led Pakistan to many victories and I'm sure in future he will help us to many more victories. Just look at his over against South Africa right at the end of the match in the Super 8s. He was very upset after the defeat against Australia and we all consoled him, but he can't be blamed for the defeat. It was an amazing innings from Hussey and one of those days where as a batsman things went for him. As a bowler especially in twenty over cricket, any bowler can be hit around the park. I have seen many of the world's finest bowlers take a hammering in the shortest version of the game".

 

Akmal who had a fine tournament with bat and the gloves added that there is no question of individuals taking the blame for the defeat.

 

"We went into the tournament as a unit and we were defeated as a unit and take responsibility as a unit. There is absolutely no question of individuals being held responsible for the defeat".

 

Kamran's younger brother Umar also came into his own in the latter stages of the tournament, with fine innings against South Africa and Australia and Kamran was very proud of Akmal junior's efforts.

 

"Yes Umar did very well against South Africa and Australia and I was proud of his batting. All I can say is that our success is down to the blessings of the Almighty and the prayers of our family and support of colleagues and coaches".

 

The Pakistan team had a new look coaching set up and Kamran told PakPassion.net that he was very impressed by Waqar Younis’ and Ijaz Ahmed's work with the team.

 

"If you look through our squad this time around, we were definitely not as strong as last year in England. We were missing some key players and whilst of course our aim was to win the tournament, I think we did very well to reach the semi-finals. Credit should especially be given to the coaches for their efforts. I have really enjoyed working with two former Pakistani greats in Waqar and Ijaz and look forward to working with them in future".

 

Pakistan's next assignment is the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka next month and Kamran has high hopes for this tournament. "Yes it will be tough. Sri Lanka is always a tough place to play in and the home side will be tough to beat. Of course India will be looking to bounce back, with Bangladesh who can always surprise opponents, so it should be a tough tournament, but its one that I am looking forward to and I think one we can do very well in".

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
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