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| Adnan Akmal |
Question: Two of your brothers – Kamran and Umar are very well-known cricketers along with yourself. Do you have any other brothers that play cricket and who we can perhaps look forward to playing for Pakistan in future?
Adnan Akmal: My other brother doesn’t like cricket. It’s just the three of us that play cricket. He's younger than me and Kamran and plays a bit of cricket but not at a professional level. He's just happy playing cricket at home.
Question: Isn’t it a bit odd that three brothers are professional cricketers and one isn’t?
Adnan Akmal: (laughs) Yes.
Question: All three of you brothers are international cricketers. When you were younger and played together, who was the best batsman and who was the best wicketkeeper in the Akmal household?
Adnan Akmal: Kami bhai started as a wicketkeeper-batsman and I started as a wicketkeeper. I started keeping at the club level and so did my brother Kamran. However, Umar didn’t start keeping then, as he was always more of a batsman and he bowled as well. That’s how we all started our cricket.
Question: There has been some confusion in the media that Kamran was initially a batsman and then later turned to wicket keeping. Can you clear that up for us?
Adnan Akmal: No, not at all. He always played as a wicket keeper batsman for all the teams he’s played for. He started playing club cricket as a wicket- keeper batsman and so did I. He wasn't solely a batsman.
Question: What club did you play for in Lahore in your early days?
Adnan Akmal: All three of us played for the Model Town Cricket Club and still do. Cricket Centre Model Town is the very place that we played our club cricket and developed as cricketers. The club has always looked after us, helped us develop as cricketers, especially the club owner, M. Sultan and the club captain Naushad Ahmad who loves cricket and really looks after all the cricketers at the Model Town Club. Then as I developed my game I was at the National Cricket Academy, the coaches - Ali Zia, Mohtashim Rashid and Mansoor Rana helped us a lot and worked very hard with us three brothers. The desire to learn the game was there, but we just needed guidance and the NCA coaches certainly provided that.
Question: The Model Town Cricket Club has produced some excellent players. Would you agree?
Adnan Akmal: Yes, most certainly. The reason being that it is the only club in Lahore that has its own turfs and has regular practice sessions – practice on turf and matches on turf. The facilities are excellent for learning cricket.
Question: It is often said that wicket keeping is a specialist position that requires a lot of hard work to master and it is by no means an easy job. Would you say that you are "born a wicketkeeper" or you can be "made" into one?
Adnan Akmal: Wicket keeping is a God-gifted talent and something that comes naturally. It is a skill that can’t just be acquired. However, it is the individual’s responsibility to develop into a good wicketkeeper – I have worked very hard to become a wicketkeeper. It certainly doesn't mean that you become a wicketkeeper just by wearing the gloves. When I started keeping, a lot of different coaches advised me and I did a lot of drills and practice to improve my technique. However, I do feel that wicket-keepeing is a God-gifted talent.
Adnan Akmal: My other brother doesn’t like cricket. It’s just the three of us that play cricket. He's younger than me and Kamran and plays a bit of cricket but not at a professional level. He's just happy playing cricket at home.
Question: Isn’t it a bit odd that three brothers are professional cricketers and one isn’t?
Adnan Akmal: (laughs) Yes.
Question: All three of you brothers are international cricketers. When you were younger and played together, who was the best batsman and who was the best wicketkeeper in the Akmal household?
Adnan Akmal: Kami bhai started as a wicketkeeper-batsman and I started as a wicketkeeper. I started keeping at the club level and so did my brother Kamran. However, Umar didn’t start keeping then, as he was always more of a batsman and he bowled as well. That’s how we all started our cricket.
Question: There has been some confusion in the media that Kamran was initially a batsman and then later turned to wicket keeping. Can you clear that up for us?
Adnan Akmal: No, not at all. He always played as a wicket keeper batsman for all the teams he’s played for. He started playing club cricket as a wicket- keeper batsman and so did I. He wasn't solely a batsman.
Question: What club did you play for in Lahore in your early days?
Adnan Akmal: All three of us played for the Model Town Cricket Club and still do. Cricket Centre Model Town is the very place that we played our club cricket and developed as cricketers. The club has always looked after us, helped us develop as cricketers, especially the club owner, M. Sultan and the club captain Naushad Ahmad who loves cricket and really looks after all the cricketers at the Model Town Club. Then as I developed my game I was at the National Cricket Academy, the coaches - Ali Zia, Mohtashim Rashid and Mansoor Rana helped us a lot and worked very hard with us three brothers. The desire to learn the game was there, but we just needed guidance and the NCA coaches certainly provided that.
Question: The Model Town Cricket Club has produced some excellent players. Would you agree?
Adnan Akmal: Yes, most certainly. The reason being that it is the only club in Lahore that has its own turfs and has regular practice sessions – practice on turf and matches on turf. The facilities are excellent for learning cricket.
Question: It is often said that wicket keeping is a specialist position that requires a lot of hard work to master and it is by no means an easy job. Would you say that you are "born a wicketkeeper" or you can be "made" into one?
Adnan Akmal: Wicket keeping is a God-gifted talent and something that comes naturally. It is a skill that can’t just be acquired. However, it is the individual’s responsibility to develop into a good wicketkeeper – I have worked very hard to become a wicketkeeper. It certainly doesn't mean that you become a wicketkeeper just by wearing the gloves. When I started keeping, a lot of different coaches advised me and I did a lot of drills and practice to improve my technique. However, I do feel that wicket-keepeing is a God-gifted talent.
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| Adnan Akmal |
Question: What age did you realise that you had the talent to become a wicketkeeper?
Adnan Akmal: It all started in 1996 with the Lombard World Cup in England - the Under 15 World Cup, if you recall. Kamran was the best wicket keeper in that tournament. After watching him on television during that tournament, I decided to give it a shot. I am four years younger than Kamran, so while watching Kamran in action on television, I told my father that Insha-Allah (God Willing), next Under 15 World Cup I want to play as a wicketkeeper. That was a goal that I set myself and during those four years I practice extremely hard on my keeping and that’s where my interest really developed and I decided that I wanted to play as a wicketkeeper. My brother performed really well in the U-15 World Cup in 1996 and watching him play inspired me to become a wicketkeeper.
Question: Does it feel odd that you and Kamran are essentially competing for one spot?
Adnan Akmal: No, not at all. In fact, I am always very happy when Kamran performs well. There is no doubt in my mind that Kamran Akmal is best wicketkeeper batsman in Pakistan, just look at the centuries he’s made for Pakistan. It is also my dream to perform like him. I try to model myself on him and perform well for Pakistan.
Question: Do you think a time will come when all three of you brothers play together in the Pakistan team – Umar and Kamran as batsmen and you as the wicketkeeper?
Adnan Akmal: It is my wish that all three of us play together for Pakistan at the same time. It is a wish come true for me to be able to play for Pakistan and God has given me this opportunity with two of my brothers already playing. However, it is my wish that all three of us play together for Pakistan at the same time.
Question: What is the most difficult aspect of wicket keeping?
Adnan Akmal: If your basics are strong, then you will adjust anywhere. The key to wicket-keeping is to practice a lot with the ball – I practice a lot with the ball as well and that is probably the reason why I don’t come under pressure. My job is to focus on the ball and not on other ongoing factors – what’s happening, what’s not happening – that is of no interest to me. My job is to follow wherever the ball is going.
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| Adnan Akmal |
Question: You mentioned the importance for having the basics right as a wicketkeeper. What do you mean when you say basics – footwork, reflexes, balance?
Adnan Akmal: All of those things you learn when your basics are right and you will adjust anywhere - it’s part of the game. We’ve all seen the toughest catches being taken and the easiest of catches being dropped. However, wicket-keeping is very important and necessary for every team. The wicketkeeper can take a great catch and win the match for his team and also drop a very easy catch and the game turns on that, but its all part of the game. Keeping is a very enjoyable job and I enjoy keeping a lot.
Question: You’ve kept wickets for many different types of bowlers – fast bowlers and spinners. Is there a bowler that you found extremely difficult to keep wicket for whatever reason (i.e. tough time reading a doosra or off-spinner, etc)?
Adnan Akmal: Saeed Ajmal is a difficult bowler to keep to, for any keeper because he bowls all his varieties – doosra, off-break with the same action. He is difficult to pick for all the wicketkeepers.
Question: By now you must have mastered the art of reading Saeed Ajmal’s bowling?
Adnan Akmal: Yes, of course. When you continuously play with the person, you naturally get a better idea of it all. I believe that he can be difficult bowler for any wicketkeeper though at first.
Question: But now can you read all of his varieties – off-spinner, doosra, quicker one?
Adnan Akmal: Yes, by the Grace of God, I have gradually got used to his bowling variations, during the time I’ve played with him in the Pakistan team.
Question: There are many outstanding wicketkeeper-batsmen around the world such as Brad Haddin and Matt Prior. Are there any that have really impressed you?
Adnan Akmal: The one wicketkeeper that has really impressed me and one I would like to model myself on would be Adam Gilchrist – I really liked him as a wicketkeeper. In my view, he was a great wicketkeeper. His footwork while keeping and his anticipation of the ball is what really impressed me. He is my fall time favourite wicketkeeper and I really enjoyed watching him keep wicket.
Question: In Pakistan, we’ve always heard about batting and bowling coaches, but never about a wicket-keeping specialist coach. Are there wicket-keeping coaches at the domestic level and what is the standard of wicket-keeping coaching in Pakistan?
Adnan Akmal: For wicket-keeping, the specialist coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), specially for wicketkeepers, is Mohtashim Rashid, nicknamed Moti. He is the type of person who wicketkeepers enjoy practicing with, especially Kamran and I. The beauty, grooming, and improvement in our keeping is all because of him since he has worked extensively with us. He’s worked a tremendous amount with Kamran and I. He wouldn’t care if it was day or night. Even if we came to practice at 2 pm in the heat of the afternoon, he would come along with us and spend hours and hours practicing with us, working on aspects of our wicketkeeping.
Adnan Akmal: All of those things you learn when your basics are right and you will adjust anywhere - it’s part of the game. We’ve all seen the toughest catches being taken and the easiest of catches being dropped. However, wicket-keeping is very important and necessary for every team. The wicketkeeper can take a great catch and win the match for his team and also drop a very easy catch and the game turns on that, but its all part of the game. Keeping is a very enjoyable job and I enjoy keeping a lot.
Question: You’ve kept wickets for many different types of bowlers – fast bowlers and spinners. Is there a bowler that you found extremely difficult to keep wicket for whatever reason (i.e. tough time reading a doosra or off-spinner, etc)?
Adnan Akmal: Saeed Ajmal is a difficult bowler to keep to, for any keeper because he bowls all his varieties – doosra, off-break with the same action. He is difficult to pick for all the wicketkeepers.
Question: By now you must have mastered the art of reading Saeed Ajmal’s bowling?
Adnan Akmal: Yes, of course. When you continuously play with the person, you naturally get a better idea of it all. I believe that he can be difficult bowler for any wicketkeeper though at first.
Question: But now can you read all of his varieties – off-spinner, doosra, quicker one?
Adnan Akmal: Yes, by the Grace of God, I have gradually got used to his bowling variations, during the time I’ve played with him in the Pakistan team.
Question: There are many outstanding wicketkeeper-batsmen around the world such as Brad Haddin and Matt Prior. Are there any that have really impressed you?
Adnan Akmal: The one wicketkeeper that has really impressed me and one I would like to model myself on would be Adam Gilchrist – I really liked him as a wicketkeeper. In my view, he was a great wicketkeeper. His footwork while keeping and his anticipation of the ball is what really impressed me. He is my fall time favourite wicketkeeper and I really enjoyed watching him keep wicket.
Question: In Pakistan, we’ve always heard about batting and bowling coaches, but never about a wicket-keeping specialist coach. Are there wicket-keeping coaches at the domestic level and what is the standard of wicket-keeping coaching in Pakistan?
Adnan Akmal: For wicket-keeping, the specialist coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), specially for wicketkeepers, is Mohtashim Rashid, nicknamed Moti. He is the type of person who wicketkeepers enjoy practicing with, especially Kamran and I. The beauty, grooming, and improvement in our keeping is all because of him since he has worked extensively with us. He’s worked a tremendous amount with Kamran and I. He wouldn’t care if it was day or night. Even if we came to practice at 2 pm in the heat of the afternoon, he would come along with us and spend hours and hours practicing with us, working on aspects of our wicketkeeping.
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Question: You were dropped for the West Indies Tour and Mohammed Salman was your replacement. It is often the case that when a player isn’t in the team, he won’t follow that particular series. Did you watch the recently concluded West Indies Tour or did it not interest you at all?
Adnan Akmal: No, I watched all the matches whilst I was in the UK – T20, ODIs, test matches. Also my brother was playing and I wanted to see how he was doing, and most importantly Pakistan was playing, so I was definitely following the series with a lot of passion. Also it's interesting to watch cricket on television as sometimes you can spot things that you wouldn't normally spot as a player.
Question: With the DRS now in place, it is said that the role of the wicketkeeper is very crucial in advising the captain and bowler whether or not to go for the referral. What are your thoughts on the DRS and the role of the wicketkeeper on whether to refer a decision or not?
Adnan Akmal: Well one thing is for sure that cricket is now much more fair. It has often been the case where the umpire has wrongly given a player out or not-out, and I believe that with this new system in place cricket is fair now for both teams. If the DRS was in place during the New Zealand test, I would have been a world record holder now, because the catch I took would have been given out. If the referral system was being used in that match, I may have made a new world record. That is why I want the DRS to be used worldwide because cricket will then become fair and equal for both teams.
Question: It must have been very disappointing that your name didn’t enter the record books after the umpire gave a clear out decision, not-out?
Adnan Akmal: Yes, it was definitely disappointing as such opportunities don’t come every day. It was my bad luck that the decision didn't go in our favour. However, I am very thankful to God for my performance as well as the PCB for giving me the opportunity to represent Pakistan.
Question: You never know, another chance might come knocking your way to break the world record?
Adnan Akmal: Well I hope so. I am training very hard here in Ireland and putting every effort from my end as playing for Pakistan is my only focus. I am eagerly awaiting and hoping that God gives me another opportunity to play for Pakistan.
Question: Before going for a referral, if the bowler isn’t sure, the captain looks to the wicketkeeper for input, making the wicketkeeper’s role extremely crucial?
Adnan Akmal: Yes, you can say so. The keeper is behind the stumps and normally has a pretty good idea whether it’s out or not. It has also become tough for the wicketkeeper because most captains have a discussion with their keepers before making the decision. However, it is a tough call for the keeper, but with regular use of the referral system, it will hopefully improve the judgement of the keeper in knowing whether it’s out or not and it will also bring improvement to cricket.
Question: You mentioned that you've been playing club cricket in Ireland. You’ve played there before as well. How would you rate the standard of cricket there and what is the reason for playing cricket in Ireland?
Adnan Akmal: I wanted to get some practice as it is extremely hot in Pakistan currently. However, the heat isn’t an issue as long as the individual is hard-working. I felt this was a good opportunity to learn and develop my temperament, keeping, and overall cricket. I’ve always heard that England and New Zealand are very tough conditions to keep in, so I figured this was the ideal opportunity to get some practice in matches to improve my temperament, my cricket, and to get some time out on the pitch since I am playing as a wicket-keeping batsman here.
I am working very hard on improving my keeping. The ball swings a lot in such conditions and it's testing for me, but I really like these conditions and hope that I will learn from my experience here.
Question: Your younger brother – Umar, is one of the most talented young batsmen in the world with a very bright future ahead of him. However when Umar gets out playing a poor shot, what sort of advice do you give him?
Adnan Akmal: I normally do give him advice. All us brothers give each other advice. However, we have a lot of people in the Pakistan Cricket Board and senior players in the Pakistan team who are there to advise. If any player, be it Umar Akmal or any other player, plays a wrong shot, we have a lot of big names who are involved with the Pakistan team, senior players and coaches, who discuss it with that player, as those senior players and coaches are best suited to offer advice to the younger players.
Adnan Akmal: No, I watched all the matches whilst I was in the UK – T20, ODIs, test matches. Also my brother was playing and I wanted to see how he was doing, and most importantly Pakistan was playing, so I was definitely following the series with a lot of passion. Also it's interesting to watch cricket on television as sometimes you can spot things that you wouldn't normally spot as a player.
Question: With the DRS now in place, it is said that the role of the wicketkeeper is very crucial in advising the captain and bowler whether or not to go for the referral. What are your thoughts on the DRS and the role of the wicketkeeper on whether to refer a decision or not?
Adnan Akmal: Well one thing is for sure that cricket is now much more fair. It has often been the case where the umpire has wrongly given a player out or not-out, and I believe that with this new system in place cricket is fair now for both teams. If the DRS was in place during the New Zealand test, I would have been a world record holder now, because the catch I took would have been given out. If the referral system was being used in that match, I may have made a new world record. That is why I want the DRS to be used worldwide because cricket will then become fair and equal for both teams.
Question: It must have been very disappointing that your name didn’t enter the record books after the umpire gave a clear out decision, not-out?
Adnan Akmal: Yes, it was definitely disappointing as such opportunities don’t come every day. It was my bad luck that the decision didn't go in our favour. However, I am very thankful to God for my performance as well as the PCB for giving me the opportunity to represent Pakistan.
Question: You never know, another chance might come knocking your way to break the world record?
Adnan Akmal: Well I hope so. I am training very hard here in Ireland and putting every effort from my end as playing for Pakistan is my only focus. I am eagerly awaiting and hoping that God gives me another opportunity to play for Pakistan.
Question: Before going for a referral, if the bowler isn’t sure, the captain looks to the wicketkeeper for input, making the wicketkeeper’s role extremely crucial?
Adnan Akmal: Yes, you can say so. The keeper is behind the stumps and normally has a pretty good idea whether it’s out or not. It has also become tough for the wicketkeeper because most captains have a discussion with their keepers before making the decision. However, it is a tough call for the keeper, but with regular use of the referral system, it will hopefully improve the judgement of the keeper in knowing whether it’s out or not and it will also bring improvement to cricket.
Question: You mentioned that you've been playing club cricket in Ireland. You’ve played there before as well. How would you rate the standard of cricket there and what is the reason for playing cricket in Ireland?
Adnan Akmal: I wanted to get some practice as it is extremely hot in Pakistan currently. However, the heat isn’t an issue as long as the individual is hard-working. I felt this was a good opportunity to learn and develop my temperament, keeping, and overall cricket. I’ve always heard that England and New Zealand are very tough conditions to keep in, so I figured this was the ideal opportunity to get some practice in matches to improve my temperament, my cricket, and to get some time out on the pitch since I am playing as a wicket-keeping batsman here.
I am working very hard on improving my keeping. The ball swings a lot in such conditions and it's testing for me, but I really like these conditions and hope that I will learn from my experience here.
Question: Your younger brother – Umar, is one of the most talented young batsmen in the world with a very bright future ahead of him. However when Umar gets out playing a poor shot, what sort of advice do you give him?
Adnan Akmal: I normally do give him advice. All us brothers give each other advice. However, we have a lot of people in the Pakistan Cricket Board and senior players in the Pakistan team who are there to advise. If any player, be it Umar Akmal or any other player, plays a wrong shot, we have a lot of big names who are involved with the Pakistan team, senior players and coaches, who discuss it with that player, as those senior players and coaches are best suited to offer advice to the younger players.
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| Adnan Akmal |
