Ton on Debut - Umar Akmal

[Karan114]

Well done to the kid

[Sachinism]

Excellent stuff, considering Pakistan were in the dumps when he came out. Saved them with a ton. To do that in NZ conditions, though they aren't what they used to be, but still. He also had a ton on his ODI debut I think

[Pioneer]

Just saw the highlights of the days play, and his shots were great to watch. Doesn't seem to be hesitant at all.

[The Outsider]

He is one to watch out for - a very composed player made for test cricket. Has some technical flaws, but hopefully the Paki cricket structure will not destroy him for a few failures.

[coffee_rules]

Good on khatmal bros to pull Pak out of looming follow-on, and probably out of the match as well.

[Shane]

The only innings I watched him play was in the semi final against New Zealand, not good on the eye but very effective. The thing I noticed from his stats is his consistency, its so unPakistani.

[king2be98]

He is one to watch out for - a very composed player made for test cricket. Has some technical flaws' date=' but hopefully the Paki cricket structure will not destroy him for a few failures.[/quote'] Why does everyone keep saying he has technical flaws? I don't even think his technique is bad, some of the best batsmen have very ordinary techniques. Tell me what technique Sehwag has? What technique does Gayle have? Yet these guys are awesome, I mean Sehwag just stands and just hits the ball and he averages well over 50. Technique isn't even that important, yeh it's great to have a good technique, but it's essential. As for how good he is, well I lovew the kid, he's got that air of total self belief in his cricket, a bit like the Aussies under Waugh.

[The Outsider]

Why does everyone keep saying he has technical flaws? I don't even think his technique is bad, some of the best batsmen have very ordinary techniques. Tell me what technique Sehwag has? What technique does Gayle have? Yet these guys are awesome, I mean Sehwag just stands and just hits the ball and he averages well over 50. Technique isn't even that important, yeh it's great to have a good technique, but it's essential. As for how good he is, well I lovew the kid, he's got that air of total self belief in his cricket, a bit like the Aussies under Waugh.

Errr....I am praising the guy and feel that he has it in him to become a successful test batsman, something which cannot be said about too many batsmen coming from Pakistan. Yes, he has his technical faults and as you rightly said most batsmen do, but the problem is with Pakistan's selection who might not have any compunctions on dropping him after a couple of failures to make sure the senior players are in the XI - case in point Salman Butt, who I still think is a very good batsman destroyed by the selection policies.

[king2be98]

Yes' date=' he has his technical faults and as you rightly said most batsmen do, but the problem is with Pakistan's selection who might not have any compunctions on dropping him after a couple of failures to make sure the senior players are in the XI - case in point Salman Butt, who I still think is a very good batsman destroyed by the selection policies.[/quote'] Salman Butt? Dude, that guy was aweful, I'm glad he's not playing. As for Akmal, I think he has one thing going for him which many other players don't have, total and complete support from former players and more importantly the entire country. It's very difficult to play revolving doors with a popular player, even if he does go through a bad spell. Can you imagine India dropping Yuvraj 4 months into his career if he had 4/5 failures? No, cause Yuvraj was talented and very popular.

[DomainK]

Akmal has got some technical flaws, but he is quite the man for the big jobs. Definitely one of the youngsters to watch out for. Like king2be98 pointed out, technical perfection is does not mean that one can not be a great batsman.

[The Outsider]

Salman Butt? Dude, that guy was aweful, I'm glad he's not playing. As for Akmal, I think he has one thing going for him which many other players don't have, total and complete support from former players and more importantly the entire country. It's very difficult to play revolving doors with a popular player, even if he does go through a bad spell. Can you imagine India dropping Yuvraj 4 months into his career if he had 4/5 failures? No, cause Yuvraj was talented and very popular.

Butt scored a century against McGrath and Warne in Australia when the rest of the batting line up was crumbling and was dropped 2 tests later. I still feel that given a chance he would have struck it at the international level - anyhow look at the alternatives Pakistan is churning out, Manzoor and Farhat!!! It's nice to hear that Akmal has got popular backing - he is one for the future and I hope Pakistan utilize him properly!

[champ]

Why does everyone keep saying he has technical flaws? I don't even think his technique is bad, some of the best batsmen have very ordinary techniques. Tell me what technique Sehwag has? What technique does Gayle have? Yet these guys are awesome, I mean Sehwag just stands and just hits the ball and he averages well over 50. Technique isn't even that important, yeh it's great to have a good technique, but it's essential. As for how good he is, well I lovew the kid, he's got that air of total self belief in his cricket, a bit like the Aussies under Waugh.

the batsmen u have mentioned do not have techniques yet score a lot of runs . agreed .. but technique cannot be ignored altogether .. if a batsmen goes out of form , thats when he realises he should have a good technique .. he can work around a few innings bcos of good technique and then come back to form soon .. tat is why great players like sachin or a dravid or a ponting do not go out of form for long ..

[reverseswing]

He is Pak batting future He might not technically perfect well most of them are not, but he has required confidence, temperament and attitude and he will soon be a composing block of Pakistan team in middle order, I have high hopes. Today's inning was special in many ways: - Test Debut - New Zealand conditions, Pakis are vulnerable there. - 80 odd for 5 wickets trailing 429 of 1st inning of NZ were Pak when he started. - He made it at a strike rate of 80 in such pressure. - He wasn't afraid of taking on even Bond or Vetori. All this shows a lot of promise.

[DeXteR]

Good innings by U Akmal. but even K Akmal knock was important, he plays some gritty knocks every now and then , but not consistent. U Akmal will be tested with time. --Infact the Aussie tour will be the biggest test he will face.

[Pak_Fan_4_Eva]

Umar Akmal averages 120 is Aus. Made a no. of centuries when the U-19 team toured OZ earlier this year

[MUMBAISKIPPER]

pakistan team has one more KHATMAL now.......KHATMAL with a good temperament

[Pakistan-India]

pakistan team has one more KHATMAL now.......KHATMAL with a good temperament

What does khatmal mean?

[Jersey #10]

Something tells me that he will be next mendis! Hope fully PCB will realize what they need to do with this kid...

[SachDan]

What does khatmal mean?

[King]

Terrific player, definite find for Pakistan since their last good batsman in Younis/Yousuf. The problem with Pakistani cricketers is handling the success. They can't seem to keep their feet firmly on the ground and concentrate on cricket. They get into all sorts of trouble for some reason. As long as this lad keeps away from team politics and the PCB don't turn him also into a captain in the near future this lad will do well. He's a little too flashy for test cricket and will not consistently rake up good scores but he should be persisted with no matter how many times he may fail.