Kamran Akmal Wants Pakistan To Adopt The Indian System Of Grooming Youngsters

Former Pakistan keeper-batsman Kamran Akmal spoke highly of the Indian seniors, who hung around to groom the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. In contrast, Kamran Akmal is dissatisfied with Pakistan’s system of working when seniors are pushed to retirement when there are a couple of years of cricket left in them. Hence, he calls for a change.

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Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are arguably two of the greatest limited-overs batsmen of this generation and been prolific run-getters in the past few years. The pair have won quite a few matches for their side and carried the hopes of billions on their shoulders. Even in terms of leadership, Rohit and Virat have grown quite a lot, owing to the Indian Premier League.

Kamran Akmal reminded that the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, and Virender Sehwag were not omitted to fast track the youngsters. Instead, all these players hung around to groom the next generation and the results are for all to see. It is due to them that Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul have thrived.

“Did India get rid of Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag after the 2007 [ODI] World Cup in the name of fast-tracking youngsters? All these great players stayed until they could help guide the next generation of Indian players and we are seeing the fruits of that policy today. How else do you explain the top-rankings of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma or even the success of a youngster like Lokesh Rahul,” Kamran Akmal said as quoted by India Today.

“Contrast that to our planning which really is non-existent” : Kamran Akmal

The 37-year old lamented the planning of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), making it impossible for players like Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Akhtar, all of who had a few more years left in them when they retired.

“Contrast that to our planning which really is non-existent. In fact, our planning seems to be to make it impossible for decent players like Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq to stay in the team all of whom had a few more years of cricket left in them at the time of their retirements,” the 167-ODI veteran conceded.

Akmal also iterated the handling of Younis Khan, who was dealt with by creating uncertainty and not properly communicating the plans, leading him to leave the side. Hence, he feels that one of them needed to remain to prepare the young generation for the challenges ahead.

“Even worse was the case of how Younis Khan was dealt with by creating uncertainty in his selection and not communicating plans with him properly, with the result that he was forced to leave the Pakistan side. Had each of these players remained a few more years in the side, they would have helped groom the next generation of excellent cricketers for Pakistan,” he added.

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