Kamran Akmal : "Saeed Ajmal Remains a Matchwinner"

[Saj]

Defeated but not disgraced is the phrase that best describes the Pakistani cricket team at the moment.

A team that was deprived of several of it's key players prior to the World Cup finals in the Caribbean, Pakistan were regarded by most as underdogs and certainly not amongst the favourites.

Whilst most experts felt that Australia or India were the fancied teams, the Pakistan team were mentioned as also rans, despite being the holders.

A win against Bangladesh and then a heavy defeat to the Australians was not the most auspicious start. Pakistan stumbled into the Super 8s and a thrashing by England in their first match of the second phase left most Pakistani fans fearing an early exit. The heavy defeat to England was followed by a heartbreaking last ball defeat to New Zealand and Pakistan were all but out of the competition.

Even a win in the final Super 8s match against the South Africans didn't guarantee progress and it was only down to England's defeat of New Zealand that Pakistan progressed to the semi finals.

Of course what ensued on that day in Saint Lucia will be etched on the minds of the Pakistani fans and players for the rest of their lives. A game that was in their grasp, was taken away from them by a cricketer who goes by the name of Mr Cricket. Heartbreak, agony, despair, pain and disbelief - it was all etched on the Pakistani players faces at the end of the match.

Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net Pakistan wicketkeeper and Kamran Akmal was still in a state of shock at the manner of the defeat at the hands of Australia.

"Yes the defeat was hard to take. We were in control for so much of the match and to lose the match in that way was very difficult to stomach".

Akmal's team mate Saeed Ajmal was the bowler who suffered at the hands of Mike Hussey as the Australian batsman unleased an array of strokes that yielded him 60 runs off only 24 deliveries. Akmal though defended Saeed Ajmal and labelled him a matchwinner.

"Saeed is a magnificent competitor, a great bowler and someone who remains a matchwinner. He has led Pakistan to many victories and I'm sure in future he will help us to many more victories. Just look at his over against South Africa right at the end of the match in the Super 8s. He was very upset after the defeat against Australia and we all consoled him, but he can't be blamed for the defeat. It was an amazing innings from Hussey and one of those days where as a batsman things went for him. As a bowler especially in Twenty over cricket, any bowler can be hit around the park. I have seen many of the world's finest bowlers take a hammering in the shortest version of the game".

Akmal who had a fine tournament with bat and the gloves added that there is no question of individuals taking the blame for the defeat.

"We went into the tournament as a unit and we were defeated as a unit and take responsibility as a unit. There is absolutely no question of individuals being held responsible for the defeat".

Kamran's younger brother Umar also came into his own in the latter stages of the tournament, with fine innings against South Africa and Australia and Kamran was very proud of Akmal junior's efforts.

"Yes Umar did very well against South Africa and Australia and I was proud of his batting. All I can say is that our success is down to the blessings of the Almighty and the prayers of our family, and support of colleagues and coaches".

The Pakistan team had a new look coaching set up and Kamran told PakPassion.net that he was very impressed by Waqar Younis' and Ijaz Ahmed's work with the team.

"If you look through our squad this time around, we were definitely not as strong as last year in England. We were missing some key players and whilst of course our aim was to win the tournament, I think we did very well to reach the semi-finals. Credit should especially be given to the coaches for their efforts. I have really enjoyed working with two former Pakistani greats in Waqar and Ijaz and look forward to working with them in future".

Pakistan's next assigment is the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka next month and Kamran has high hopes for this tournament. "Yes it will be tough. Sri Lanka is always a tough place to play in and the home side will be tough to beat. Of course India will be looking to bounce back, with Bangladesh who can always surprise opponents, so it should be a tough tournament, but its one that I am looking forward to and I think one we can do very well in".

[Saj]

My sincere thanks to Kamran for his time today and also a huge thank you to Azhar and Mazhar Majeed for their help with this interview.

[dhump]

Many thanks for this Saj I was desperately waiting to know how our players feel of this.

[Down2Earth]

i can't imagine how saeed's feeling right now but i hope he knows that the fans fully support him. if it wasn't for him, we probably would have lost to south africa anyway. love you saeed

[KA$H]

interesting that AKmal at least is enjoying working under the Waqar/Ijaz coaching combo

lets see how teh next couple of tours work out

[Saj]

Originally Posted by dhump Many thanks for this Saj I was desperately waiting to know how our players feel of this.

dhump. He sounded disapppointed and down which of course is only natural. Must have been tough to take when you have dominated a match for so long.

By the way, I thought Kamran was very good in this tournament. His keeping was acceptable and his batting at times was breathtaking.

[KingKhanWC]

Thanks for the interview.

Kamran is right, Saeed Ajmal has been great this year too. He is a brilliant spinner and most people don't blame him for the semi final defeat.

Ajmal will be a vital part of Pakistans world cup bid and should move on from the semi-final, it just wasn't meant to be.

Well played Kamran and Saeed.

[Zaz]

Originally Posted by Saj By the way, I thought Kamran was very good in this tournament. His keeping was acceptable and his batting at times was breathtaking.

Id slightly disagree on that, id say he was good, his batting was a bit of a mixed bag, which in t20 tho is understandable

His innings against aussies was very good however beforehand in tournament he did tend to play out a lot of dot balls which he needs to work on and address

[AZ]

You're a champ Kami, keep up the strong performances!

[dhump]

Originally Posted by Saj dhump. He sounded disapppointed and down which of course is only natural. Must have been tough to take when you have dominated a match for so long. By the way, I thought Kamran was very good in this tournament. His keeping was acceptable and his batting at times was breathtaking.

Indeed Kamran had a very fine world specially when he played some good knocks with bat and there was no horror show in his keeping.

I hope our players pick them selves up and come back hard in Asia cup and coming summer, I hope they take this defeat as a reason to stand up and fight as a unit.

[cricpk]

thankx saj !!! best of luck to our boys for the upcoming asia cup and id like to see some new guns in the team now!!

[On_the_up]

Heart breaking way to be knocked out of the tournament, but the team has nothing to be ashamed off, the semi final was their best performance of the tournament.

If only Gul was fit to play. He is the best fast bowler in this format and he would surely have got those yorkers in, at the death making it impossible for Hussey to smash those boundaries. We could be have been celebrating having just retained the cup.

By the way Gul played an immense role in last year's semi final too and had he not been playing at Trent bridge, it is unlikely Pakistan would have won then either.

[pakistani pride]

Saeed Ajmal is a champion, things like these can happen that is why cricket is a great game.

[cricket_fever]

spot on akmal!

[Pak_Power]

Ajmal shouldnt feel dejected, he is still a match winner!

[Daytripped]

I agree with Kamran. One bad over doesn't change anything.

[Golden arm]

well everybody is missing GUL, i think we also missed sohail tanveer, and his vicious slower delivery and yorkers as well.

[taaveez]

Originally Posted by Saj Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net Pakistan wicketkeeper and Kamran Akmal was still in a state of shock at the manner of the defeat at the hands of Australia.

This wasn't a shock. SCG was. Still is. Hope you've learnt, Kamran.

[Kray_jackson7]

Thanks for the interview saj. If you can get through to ajmal or get word to him just give him a kind word on behalf of everyone here on PP and tell him not to blame himself. He is still wanted!

[taaveez]

Originally Posted by Golden arm well everybody is missing GUL, i think we also missed sohail tanveer, and his vicious slower delivery and yorkers as well.

Hussey took Gul to task in that 9-ball over a few months ago. We'll simply miss anyone who wasn't there.

[forzapakistan]

Bravo Kamran! And yes nothing will change the truth of how awesome a bowler Saeed is. I'm very proud of him.

[Golden arm]

Originally Posted by taaveez Hussey took Gul to task in that 9-ball over a few months ago. We'll simply miss anyone who wasn't there.

Also I think selectors made a mistake in not picking DANISH for the world cup.
he could have been very effective because of his variety and could have been very attacking from the start, by fetching us wickets.
I wish our selectors should include him for one-dayers in Srilanka (Asia cup), lets now give him a chance for one-days and t-20 as well.

[Inswinger]

Originally Posted by Golden arm Also I think selectors made a mistake in not picking DANISH for the world cup. he could have been very effective because of his variety and could have been very attacking from the start, by fetching us wickets. I wish our selectors should include him for one-dayers in Srilanka (Asia cup), lets now give him a chance for one-days and t-20 as well.

It takes him 10 overs before he picks up a wicket.

[Gollum]

Unfortunately the shine is gone off Ajmal. He is just another average spinner in a long long list of spinners who will fade away eventually. We were looking for the next Saqlain Mushtaq but there won't be another one like him ever again.

[Golden arm]

Originally Posted by Inswinger It takes him 10 overs before he picks up a wicket.

not in t-20 where every body is trying to hit out of park.
may be you are right about tests, I think his variety is more useful in one-dayers and t-20 rather than tests, where you ve to be more consistent in line & length.

[Strike!]

So the players are allowed to talk to the media now?

[kkmix]

good to hear from them, just wanna let them know that we r proud of you, dont feel bad.

[Ryankhan]

I wish from ASIA CUP our winning starts again which we lack from past one year. 2009 was a distressful year for us. our only happiness was 20-20 WC and i seriously thought, this is it, one big win in a major tournamnt and after this there is no stoppin PAK but actually it all went wrong, we lost series after series so thats just too much for our fans. I still support my team but we have to click. 2011 WC is just few months away.....If we get our plans right inshallah we will be ready for 2011 WC. Ajmal is our best bowler no doubt and im sure he must be going through a stress ful period. hope he recovers soon from it and i wish this ASIA CUP our winning starts. Atleast reach the finals and give your best thats all we want. with new coach and new captain, atleast we saw a change PAK who fought till the end and didnt gave it away rest is their luck. so results showing and inshallah soon once again We all will cheer and love PAK CRICKET again, not me but whole PAKISTAN

[muhammad saad]

Ajmal has no fault at all , there is no excuse for playing only 1 pacer in the semi final.

[Dr. Khan]

Originally Posted by Golden arm Also I think selectors made a mistake in not picking DANISH for the world cup. he could have been very effective because of his variety and could have been very attacking from the start, by fetching us wickets. I wish our selectors should include him for one-dayers in Srilanka (Asia cup), lets now give him a chance for one-days and t-20 as well.

Might have been a problem with him being arrested on spot fixing charges.

[Amjid Javed]

Good to see Kamran giving Ajmal some support...

[MIG]

Featured in Cricinfo....

http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan/con...ry/459951.html

[zulfiqar]

How much did Kamran average this tournament?

[Darkhunter]

Kamran is defending Ajmal as he knows exactly how it feels like to suffer through Mike Hussey..

[PlanetPakistan]

These days Pakistan have a great depth in the spin department
The likes of Ajmal, Afridi, A Rehman, Kaneria and the upcoming Raza Hasan can make most teams in the world.

[shaaan]

Ajmal is a match winner for us in ODI and T20 format. The last over at the T20 world cup does not change that.

[BRIC]

True. Just that the match should not be a semis or a final. right? Come on. Be a little harsh on cricketers

[MajidBhuta-AamirFan]

few years back we lost final from india in dhaka just bcoz of giving last over to spinner, and we made same mistake again to giving last over spinner, if i were capain and murali or shane warne were playing for me, i would not have given final over to any of them when i knew only sixes are needed. It was a captain mistake not saeed ajmal. spcially when ajaml got hit two big sxies in his second last over how come captain gave him the last over then two good left hander hitter were in the crease.

When he gave the over ajmal right away my heart said, this match is over for us, unless hussey make miss hit and somebody catch it, otherwise what he needs just three big hits and this match will be over for us.. thats is same happned.
Hitting a sixes to fast bowler or even medium fast bowler is not that easy especially when bastman like hussey.
If I were captain i would have gone with razzaq in the last over.. even i wouldn't have taken 1 second to think choosing between razzaq and ajaml for last over..
if were bowling first than ajmal is ok but bolwing second and when we knew they just need the big hits, spinner was a piece of for aussies.. and thats what happened..

guys just my post on pakpassion when captain gave the over to ajmal..

right away i posted what a big mistake..

when asif picked for t20 sqaud right away i posted what a big mistake.. there were thousands of asif fan here started criticising me and hopefully, now they must learn that i was/am always right.

another thing when they selected hazeez and khalid latif over imran nazir and shahzaib hassen, i posted kahlid latif and hafiz are only domestic player, they can't play international level cricket, coz they legs start shivering playing any level of international match, on the other hand eventhough imran nazir was out form but he can still change the matches on the international level.. coz his legs never start shivering.

another thing that i had posted , remember when umer gull got injurred i said must pick shoaib akhtar for his replacement, half fit shoaib is 20 times better than supper fit luller(mean incompetent) fast bowler sami.

I think i was right in everything.

Thanks,
A pak Team fan from Oslo Noreg.

[Saj]

Originally Posted by Strike! So the players are allowed to talk to the media now?

The players are always allowed to talk to PakPassion

[Saj]

Originally Posted by zulfiqar How much did Kamran average this tournament?

Kamran scored 180 runs at an average of 30, and a strike rate of 120.80.