Unfair to compare me with Kohli, feels Akmal

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Unfair to compare me with Kohli, feels Akmal
Umar Akmal

Sharjah - Kohli has raised batting benchmarks, Akmal has not reached those heights

By James Jose

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Published: Tue 21 Feb 2017, 3:22 PM

Last updated: Tue 21 Feb 2017, 5:24 PM

Hard-hitting Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal said that it was a bit unfair to compare him with the present Indian captain Virat Kohli, substantiating by saying that they come to bat at different slots.
Ever since Akmal burst on to the international scene in 2009, he has been measured against Kohli, who too made his debut, more or less around the same time.
And while, Kohli has raised batting benchmarks, Akmal, despite showing massive potential, has never quite reached those heights.
But late on Monday night, after whipping up a 42-ball 66, after coming in at No.4, Akmal said that if the roles were reversed and had he failed, then there is a valid argument.
"The comparisons that have been made with him are a bit unfair because it is about the numbers," Akmal said after laying the blocks for a Lahore Qalandars victory over Islamabad United in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL).
"From when I started playing international cricket, I've been playing at No.6 and from when he started playing international cricket, he has been playing at No.3. So, if I'm played continuously at that (No.3) slot and if I don't perform, then, you could criticise. And if you played him at my slot, and if he performs like how I do, then, you can compare.
"Now, you can compare with Babar Azam, who is in form in international cricket. So, if you compare both these men, it would be better," he added.
The inaugural edition of the PSL was a breakthrough one for Akmal as he was in sparkling form. But the 26-year-old has stuttered a bit in this edition and Akmal revealed that a quick chat with former captain Ramiz Raja helped him.
 "I had the belief that that if I stayed at the crease and even if I had bowlers as partners at the other end, I felt like I could carry this game. I had a discussion with Ramiz bhai (Ramiz Raja) in the morning and I said to him that the ball was coming on nicely on to the bat. But I've not been able to develop my innings like I had done last year in the PSL," said Akmal.
"He gave me a lot of confidence and told me to play my natural game. He also said that if I get a boundary ball, go for it rather than play it for a single. So, these two things were on my mind," he added.
james@khaleejtimes.com
 
 


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