Kamran Akmal is a former Pakistani cricketer, widely regarded as one of the most talented wicketkeeper-batsmen in the history of Pakistan cricket. He was born on January 13, 1982 in Lahore, Pakistan, and made his debut for the national team in 2002.
During his career, Akmal played in all formats of the game, and his performances behind the stumps and with the bat earned him the coveted trophy. A reputation as one of the most reliable and consistent players in the side.
Akmal’s career started with a bang as he scored a century in his maiden first-class match for Lahore in the 1999–2000 season.
He soon made his way through the ranks and was selected for Pakistan A, where he impressed the selectors with his aggressive batting and strong wicketkeeping skills. His performances earned him a call-up to the national team, where he made his ODI debut in 2002 against Zimbabwe.
Akmal’s best performances came with the bat when he was able to counterattack and score quick runs in the middle order. In 2005, he scored his maiden international century against England in a Test match, and continued to impress with his attacking strokeplay in limited overs cricket.
Akmal’s highest score in ODIs was 124 not out, which he made against India in Abu Dhabi in 2006. He also scored a century in a Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka in 2007.
However, it was not just his batting that made Akmal a valuable member of the Pakistan team. His wicketkeeping skills were also top-notch, and he was known for his ability to take difficult catches and perform quick stumpings. In fact, he holds the record for most dismissals by a Pakistani wicketkeeper in ODIs, with 214 catches and 39 stumpings in 157 matches.
Despite his many achievements, Akmal’s career has not been without controversy. He was often criticized for dropping crucial catches at crucial moments in matches, which earned him a reputation as an unreliable fielder. Besides this, he was also involved in several disciplinary issues including allegations of indiscipline and involvement in match-fixing.
Akmal last played for Pakistan in a T20I against New Zealand in January 2017 and announced his retirement from international cricket in August the same year. He continued to play domestic cricket in Pakistan and remained a key player for his team Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League.