Waqar Younis: “You can keep him in the team but of course you can’t remove the captain and as a fielder, I doubt Akmal can play”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Legendary Pakistan pace bowler Waqar Younis believes that even though Kamran Akmal has been in exceptional form as of late, it will be very difficult for him to regain his spot in the national team.

Akmal is the highest run-scorer in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as he has accumulated 424 runs, which includes a century and four fifties, in 12 matches at an average of 42.40.

The 36-year-old’s superb performances with the bat is one of the key reasons why the Peshawar Zalmi qualified for the PSL final, where they will take on Islamabad United in Karachi on Sunday.

Despite this, Waqar feels the one thing stopping Akmal from breaking back into the Pakistan team is the fact that he has the same role as current captain Sarfraz Ahmed.

Furthermore, the Islamabad United coach has doubts about Akmal’s standard of fielding.

“Kamran Akmal has been performing for several years now,” the former Pakistan head coach was quoted as saying by The Nation. “It’s unfortunate for him that he has the same role as the Pakistan captain, who obviously is irreplaceable.

“The only thing you can do is maybe take him (Kamran Akmal) as a back-up. You can keep him in the team but of course you can’t remove the captain and as a fielder, I doubt Akmal can play.”