Kamran Akmal

Full Name: Kamran Akmal
Born: 13 January 1982, Lahore, Punjab
Major Teams: Lahore Cricket Association, National Bank of Pakistan, Rajasthan Royals, Pakistan
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Other: Wicket Keeper

Test Debut: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Harare, 1st Test, 2002/03
ODI Debut: Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe at Queen's Sports Club, Bulawayo, 1st ODI, 2002/03

Kamran Akmal (born 13 January 1982 in Lahore) is a Pakistani cricketer who has played 38 Test matches and 88 ODIs for Pakistan.



International career

He is a quick-scoring batsman and a wicket-keeper, who has achieved four centuries and two fifties in 31 Test innings. However, his first century was vital - his 109 from the number eight position at Mohali, coming in with Pakistan in a lead of 39 against India in the first Test, ensured that the visitors could draw the match. His form against the touring English in 2005 made him one of the most important players in the team. Naturally, he is a batsman that plays lower down the order but has sometimes opened in both Test and One-day cricket. As an opener he has scored two back to back centuries in ODIs against England. Coming in lower down the order in Test matches, he played one memorable innings. He saved Pakistan from a score of 39/6, scoring a century, to a competitive 245 which helped Pakistan win the match and series.




His batting was highly productive in early 2006 as he scored seven international hundreds within the space of 6 months. Since his tour of England in Summer 2006 however his batting form dwindled and steadily become worse. His wicket-keeping also worsened and dropped many catches on both the England tour and on a tour to South Africa in early 2007. Since then he did not score an international hundred until the Bangladeshi tour of Pakistan in 2008.




Poor wicket keeping

Kamran Akmal has been constantly criticized for poor wicket keeping. For three years now Akmal has missed at least a chance per match he has played. After another horrendous series behind the stumps against Sri Lanka in January 2009 journalists and former playes called for his removal from the national team.




Personal life



Akmal has two brothers, Adnan Akmal and Umar Akmal, who are also professional cricketers. The former being a keeper-batsman and the latter being a batting all-rounder.




IPL career

Akmal was signed on to the Rajasthan Royals, and played in the inaugural season of the IPL. He played five matches in the tournament, as wicket-keeper and top-order batsman, including the final of the tournament against the Chennai Super Kings. He took two catches in the first innings, however he was run out for six runs during the Royal's chase. The Royals went on to win the tournament after a thrilling finish.




Test Centuries of Kamran Akmal


# Runs Match Against City/Country Venue Year
[1] 109 11 India Mohali, India Punjab C.A. Stadium 2005
[2] 154 18 England Lahore, Pakistan Gaddafi Stadium 2006
[3] 102* 19 India Lahore, Pakistan Gaddafi Stadium 2006
[4] 113 21 India Karachi, Pakistan National Stadium 2006
[5] 119 37 India Kolkata, India Eden Gardens 2007
[6] 158* 39 Sri Lanka Karachi, Pakistan National Stadium 2009

ODI Centuries

ODI Centuries of Kamran Akmal
# Runs Match Against City/Country Venue Year
[1] 124 15 West Indies Brisbane, Australia The Gabba 2005
[2] 102 31 England Lahore, Pakistan Gaddafi Stadium 2005
[3] 109 32 India Karachi, Pakistan National Stadium 2005
[4] 100 83 Bangladesh Lahore, Pakistan Gaddafi Stadium 2008