LAHORE, Nov 27: Wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal has played an important role in the resurgence of the Pakistan cricket team yet he started keeping only after national selectors rejected him as a batsman.

Kamran now 23, failed to get selected for Pakistan’s under-15 team in 1996 as a batsman.

“I saw there was no decent keeper in the under-15 trials and since I used to keep a little for my local club I decided to try my luck as a wicket-keeper,” he said.

“I played with borrowed gloves and I was picked as a keeper not as a batsman.”

Kamran’s value to the Pakistan team was highlighted earlier this year on the tour of India.

His 109 on the final day of the first Test in Mohali saved his team from certain defeat.

“I have always felt comfortable as a batsman. I can bat at any position. It comes naturally to me. But I have had to work hard on my keeping. And it is not easy following in the footsteps of some great keepers in Pakistan cricket,” he said.—Reuters