"I wouldn't let Saim come near the team for the next 2 years" - Kamran Akmal blasts Pakistan batters after 2024 Test series loss to Bangladesh
Former Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal has lashed out at the side's batters after their horrific home Test series loss to Bangladesh by a 2-0 margin. Barring Mohammad Rizwan, none of the Pakistan batters even averaged 40 in the two Tests, resulting in second innings collapses.
The hosts were bundled out for 146 and 172 in the second innings of both Tests with the matches in the balance to enable comfortable fourth-innings run-chases for Bangladesh.
In an interview with Cricket Pakistan, Akmal was particularly disappointed with opener Saim Ayub for getting out stumped after scoring a half-century in the first innings of the second Test.
"These guys are being supported way too much. Honestly, if I were in charge, I swear I wouldn't let Saim come near the team for the next two years after getting out like he did in the first innings of the second Test, especially after making 50 runs," said Akmal.
Akmal also questioned Saim's opening partner Abdullah Shafique's technique and approach in Test cricket, saying:
"Abdullah Shafique, as you can see, is a specialist opener. Whether it's the first ball or not, cricket has become so fast-paced that runs are expected right from the start. You can see that our approach is totally different; we’re not playing the cricket of the '90s or '80s. Just killing time and seeing off the ball won’t get you runs. If a player like Abdullah Shafique isn’t scoring runs against such teams, then I think it’s a worrying sign, both for Abdullah and for Pakistan."
Despite throwing his wicket away in the second Test, Saim had a reasonable series with the bat, scoring 135 runs at an average of 33.76.
However, Shafique endured two Tests to forget, finishing with 42 runs at an average of 10.50.
"When they face a pace of 140 kph or more, and they see that on the scoreboard during the match, their legs start to give way" - Kamran Akmal
Kamran Akmal admitted that the Pakistan batters are only comfortable facing pacers bowling at speeds under 140 kph and struggle against high-speed bowlers.
The Pakistan batters were consistently troubled by speedsters Nahid Rana and Taskin Ahmed in the second Test, with the duo combining for nine wickets.
"Our batters are comfortable against pacers bowling at 130-140 kph, but when they face a pace of 140 kph or more, and they see that on the scoreboard during the match, their legs start to give way. This was evident in how Nahid Rana and Taskin Ahmed bowled with pace. Saud Shakeel scored a century, but there should have been another century after that. You should also look at Babar and see how he got out, and check how Rizwan got out," said Akmal in the same interview.
Pakistan will face an uphill task to bounce back from the Bangladesh series defeat in their next assignment - a three-Test series against England, starting October 7.