After Arthur, Waqar rules out Kamran’s return to national squad

Islamabad United Coach ruling out the possibility of Kamran Akmal’s return to the national squad said Peshawar Zalmi opener can be included in the national team as a backup of skipper Sarfraz Ahmed however, due to his questionable fielding skills, he probably won't make it to the national side.

Akmal is the only centurion of this year’s PSL season, and was also the only century-maker in PSL 2017. After a disappointing start to this season, the veteran wicketkeeper cum batsman has enjoyed a tremendous outing with the bat as he smashed 107* off 61 balls and the fastest half-century in the league's history, raising the possibility of his return in the national squad against upcoming West Indies series.

He last represented Pakistan in the series against West Indies in April 2017, making a return to the national squad after becoming the top run-scorer in the last PSL tournament. But he has not been part of the national squad since then.

Talking to media at the National Stadium Karachi ahead of PSL final on Sunday, the former national coach said that as many as 30 years back he made his international debut at the National Stadium.

“I am glad to be back here. And it will be great to see international players playing again in the National Stadium. Karachi is a cricket loving city. I am already getting goosebumps. With the weather suitable for playing conditions, I predict that it will be a high-scoring match,” he said.

Responding to a question, the coach said that if Kamran Akmal is in ‘red-hot form’ so is United’s opener Luke Ronchi. Younis added that his team’s players are ‘hungry and looking forward to delivering tomorrow’.

On the other hand, Islamabad United skipper JP Duminy said that the team will try to dismiss Akmal at the early stage of the game.

The South African player reiterated that the entire team is excited to play Pakistan Super League final in Karachi. “We are about to start our training session. The team that adapts quickest will give itself an edge,” Duminy said.