Thaindian News

Hobart, Jan 9 (IANS) Kamran Akmal’s poor wicketkeeping is being attributed to his preoccupation with his family in Sydney.
Pakistani daily The News Saturday quoted sources as saying Kamran was forced to stay up late for babysitting, something that could have affected his performance in the Sydney Test that Pakistan lost by 36 runs after gaining a 206-run first innings lead.

Kamran, Pakistan’s vice captain and one of the team’s senior members, dropped four catches and muffed a run-out opportunity during the Test.

He floored Michael Hussey three times off leggie Danish Kaneria and the experienced Australian batsman went on to score a match-winning unbeaten 134.

The Lahore-born Kamran’s poor performance behind the stumps prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to replace him with young wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed for the third and final Test beginning at Hobart January 14.

According to sources, Kamran was often seen pacing up and down the corridor of the InterContinental Hotel in central Sydney with his baby in his arms.

“His wife used to go to sleep and the player had to look after the infant,” said an eyewitness.

Kamran is apparently not the only Pakistani player who is in Australia with his wife and children. A majority of the players, including Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf, are here with their families.

“On the floor where the Pakistan team is staying, you can always hear some child crying. It seems like the players are here on a family holiday,” said the source.

Kamran, meanwhile, has termed his own showing in the Sydney Test as a nightmare. “It’s like a nightare. It was easily the worst showing of my career.”

However, Kamran said that he has put the memories of the Test defeat behind him and is looking forward to performing in the future.

“I will be playing with a lot more passion in the future,” he said.