PCB and team management in tussle over selection of Kamran Akmal

The last time Kamran Akmal donned the Pakistan jersey was all the way back in 2014 against the West Indies in Dhaka. It was the encounter that ensured that the Pakistanis would not progress to the next round of matches in the 2014 edition of the World T20 and also ensured that Kamran Akmal would not feature for Pakistan again.

However, with Pakistani cricket undergoing a major change in recent times, the squad seems to be settled, to say the least. In a bid to strengthen the squad whilst on overseas tours, the Pakistan Cricket Board has taken solace in some of their players from yesteryear, the most notable of those being wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal.

However, while the PCB has also gone on to recommend the names of Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, and even Sohail Tanvir, Mickey Arthur is quite clear in his approach that he would prefer working with youngsters and look into the future rather than recall players who were dropped earlier.

A source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board also went on to state the same.  “The team management in Australia is opposing Kamran’s selection,” said an official close to the matter. “They don’t see Kamran in their plans at the moment. With wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed in great form and the top-order batsmen also performing well, the management doesn’t feel the need to include Kamran in the squad.”

“The selection committee is still pushing for Kamran’s inclusion and they want him in the squad.  The discussions are still under way and the decision is yet to be taken. Coach Mickey Arthur is not fond of recalling senior players and instead wants to try youngsters, a fact which may go against Kamran,” added the official.

The source also went on to add that Mohammad Irfan is on the comeback trail following a few fitness concerns in the past. In addition, Junaid and Tanvir are also in the fray for a selection recall for the Pakistan side.

“Irfan is showing signs of good fitness in the National One-Day Cup and the team management feels he can be effective in Australian conditions. Junaid and Tanvir’s selection is also under consideration by the team management after recommendations by the selection committee,” he added.