LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board plans to rest some of the senior players for the upcoming series against the West Indies, while wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal seems to have lost favour with the board officials. It has also been learnt that the board is under political pressure to drop Kamran, while former cricketers have also launched a campaign against the Lahore-base wicket-keeper.
Sources have disclosed that opener Imran Farhat is being considered for the series, while the board is in a fix over appointment of a captain for the ODI series as Shahid Afridi has asked the PCB officials for a break. The likely chance is that Adnan Akmal, Kamran’s younger brother, will replace him.
But he will have to improve his batting, while Umar Akmal might also face reprimand over allegedly feigning a finger injury after reports that Kamran would be dropped for the match against Australia. Sarfaraz Ahmed is another option being considered. Kamran, 29, has played 53 Tests, 137 ODIs and 38 T20 internationals, but in recent times his wayward keeping abilities and inconsistent batting has disappointed the selectors as well as his fans.
It has also been learnt that the selector have been asked to keep hunting for a reliable opening pair after Mohammad Hafeez threw away his wicket in the semi-final. Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was not played in the last four matches after his ill-timed retirement announcement. Sources also stated that the PCB is keen on introducing new players for the ODIs and T20 matches.
