Name: Kamran Akmal

Birth date: 1982-01-13

Hometown: Lahore

Teams: Pakistan, Asia XI, Lahore, National Bank of Pakistan, Rajasthan Royals

Debut: 9th Nov 2002

ODI Best: 124

Test Best: 158*

Kamran Akmal made his first-class debut at the age of 15 as a useful wicketkeeper and a hard-hitting opening batsman. A string of good performances earned him a spot for Pakistan A in 2002, and after impressing against Sri Lanka A he won selection for the Zimbabwe tour in preference to the veteran Moin Khan.

Kamran Akmal is a Pakistani wicketkeeper and an aggressive right handed batsman who has been utilised both in the middle order and at the top of the order.

Whilst Kamran's batting has been explosive and at times he has been breathtaking with some of his strokeplay, his wicketkeeping has lacked consistency and he at times remains unconvincing behind the stumps. The poor form behind the stumps eventually caught up with him after a poor showing in the Sydney Test match in the 09/10 series to Australia, and many blamed him for the loss. He was subsequently dropped for the first time in his test career.

With Pakistan struggling to find good opening batsmen, Kamran has recently found a spot for himself at the top in limited overs cricket. A fluent batsman especially on the off side where he cuts the ball ferociously and has the ability to drive the ball beautifully. His strength through the off-side and his ability to hit over the fielders during the power play has given him success. However with Sarfraz Ahmed vastly improving with his batting, his brother Adnan Akmal also being given opportunities the pressure is on Kamran to improve his keeping and maintain his good form with the bat.

Following Pakistan's World Cup campaign in 2011, Kamran was dropped for more inconsistent form behind the stumps. In recent times, Kamran has also suggested he is willing to play in the team solely as a specialist keeper.