Despite shoddy 'keeping, Pak stumper confident of playing hobart Test

Despite shoddy 'keeping, Akmal is adamant he will play in Hobart Test

Strife, the accursed monster of Pakistan cricket ever since Partition, has raised its ugly head again as Mohammed Yousuf's team, shell-shocked after last week's Sydney Test, prepares for Thursday's third and final encounter at Hobart.

According to reports from Pakistan, politicians have typically got into the act after their team's reversal, calling for the heads of their board president Ejaz Butt, captain Mohammed Yousuf, coach Intikhab Alam and, most of all, Kamran Akmal.

In a development that can occur only across the border, an opposition leader has even demanded that Ejaz Butt, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, be sacked and jailed.

Senior wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal dropped four catches, three offered by second innings unbeaten centurion Michael Hussey.

Even as the Pakistan Cricket Board PCB has rushed 22-year old stand-by wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmad to Hobart, Kamran Akmal, claiming he has the support of the team management, is adamant he will play at Hobart.

"I was very successful with my batting and wicket keeping on the New Zealand tour and before the New Zealand tour so I was very happy.

"But I think the third day of the Sydney Test was not good for me u2014 this happens. I'm very keen. My confidence is very high. Management is very confident for me and coaches, Intikhab Alam, Waqar Younis, Aaqib Javed and my teammates also. I will play the third Test match and more matches for my country.

"I've been picked for the past 10 years and for the last eight years, I've been playing as wicket-keeper batsman.

"It was a bad day. I think it is my worst day. But it is equal for any cricketer. Ricky Ponting is the best batsman but he is not getting many runs at the moment.

"I've moved on... every day is a new day, I think for the next Test match," Kamran who, is being mentored by former Australian Test wicket-keeper Ian Healy, said.

Kamran is said to have the full backing of his captain, but Intikhab Alam is adamant Sarfraz will play.

"Yes, there is no point bringing him (Sarfraz) here and not playing him here. He was with us for the New Zealand tour, and we had 17 people, that was our home series. Here you've got to have 15.

"He (Sarfraz) is not a bad batsman either. He has been hanging around for a long time but can't get in. Kamran is a very good cricketer and a very good person but, unfortunately, he dropped four catches, and that is not acceptable to anybody. I think he needs a break where he can switch off."

Lamenting Pakistan's inexplicable batting in the second innings of the Sydney Test,u00a0 Intikhabu00a0 attributed it to a surfeit of one-day cricket which the Pakistanis have been playing at the expense of Test cricket.

Alam told KHALIDOSOCPE the paucity of opportunities to play Test cricket at home, because of the political situation, and abroad, for almost two years, combined with scheduling which has seen his team's youngsters play an overwhelming number of one-day and Twenty20 games as against Tests, has resulted in a lop-sided (aggressive) temperament.

Meanwhile, Ricky Ponting is on record as saying that the Sydney setback will scar the Pakistanis and that they will find it difficult to regroup for the third Test.

Justin Langer, who, along with Adam Gilchrist chased down an (Australian) record score of 369 against Pakistan in 1999-2000 for a sensational four-wicket victory, believes Australia's dramatic win last week will instill in Ricky Ponting's team the same self-belief he and his all-conquering side acquired as a result and which enabled them to win a record 16 straight Tests.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels