Cruel but fair?
Suspicions grow that Kamran is hopeless
Jesse Hogan and Simon Briggs
March 10, 2011
source
BANGALORE: Investigations by the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board during the past six months into Kamran Akmal have produced nothing substantive against his integrity.
Nevertheless, a convincing argument for the wicketkeeper's exclusion from the Pakistan team requires no investigation at all - his inept glovework during crucial matches. Pakistan's preliminary 30-man World Cup squad, due in mid-December, was not released until more than a fortnight after the deadline because the PCB was suspicious of Kamran and two other players, batsman Shoaib Malik and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.
All three had been in exile since the infamous midyear tour of England. While Kamran sought - and reportedly received - confirmation from the ICC he was no longer being investigated over his performances in last year's World Twenty20, the PCB banned him from selection until its integrity committee vetted him.
The three players were, according to Pakistan newspaper Dawn, required to appear before the committee and give its members complete access to their banking and financial-asset dealings for the past three years. During that time Kamran's role in Pakistan's tour to New Zealand was filled by his brothers - specialist wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal for the Tests and batsman Umar Akmal for the Twenty20 internationals.
After that investigation ended Kamran was the only one of the three chosen to return for the last part of the NZ tour. He was also chosen in the final World Cup squad ahead of Sarfraz Ahmed, the rival who replaced him after his notoriously fumbly performance in Pakistan's dramatic SCG Test loss to Australia two years ago.
Only last week, a reporter brought up the subject of the Sydney Test. Akmal replied: ''I play for love of cricket, not for money. I didn't drop catches to help Australia.''
Asked yesterday if the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit would be investigating the New Zealand match, an ICC spokesman replied: ''There is an ACSU officer present at every one-day international, and not just in the World Cup, but we do not discuss their activities.''
Kamran's calamitous misses of Ross Taylor in Kandy, when the New Zealander was on 0 and 8, and his spilling of a chance from Scott Styris too were in line with not only his reputation but also his form so far in this tournament. In Pakistan's win over Sri Lanka he twice allowed home captain Kumar Sangakkara to survive clear stumping opportunities.
When it came Pakistan's turn to bat Kamran made only eight at first drop, although as former Australian captain Ian Chappell had earlier observed during TV commentary for ESPN Star Sports: ''How many wickets does Kamran Akmal have to cost Pakistan before they drop him? It's ridiculous. If his batting was as good as Don Bradman's he couldn't make the runs to make up for what he costs them in the field.''
The anger and frustration among Pakistani media to the continued selection of Kamran was evident after the match. One reporter asked Pakistan coach Waqar Younis what was the difference between Kamran and Michael Jackson, inferring that both wore gloves for no reason.
Waqar laughed off that question - ''The difference between them is one is dead'' - but conceded it had been ''a bad day for Kamran Akmal''.
''Without a doubt that was a huge turning point, giving a chance to someone like Ross Taylor, who's a top player. They depend on him and we gave him two chances in three balls, which really cost us. But we bowled poorly also. Don't only dump [the blame on] Kamran Akmal,'' he said.
''We're in the middle of the tournament. We can't really kick him out at the moment. We can try to make him better for the next game and make sure he won't do the same mistakes.''
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