ADELAIDE: Pakistan’s young middle-order batsman Umar Akmal reckons it is unfair to compare him with India’s Virat Kohli, noting both bat at different positions.

“It is always my effort to deliver 100 per cent for the team and Pakistan but I know people compare me to Kohli which is not right because he bats higher up the order,” Umar told Pakistani reporters in Adelaide on Thursday, according to Press Trust of India.

“I should not be compared to Kohli because if he came in to bat at six or seven and performed than I would understand and accept the comparisons. If I get a chance to bat higher up I believe I can perform better than what I do and get big innings,” he said.

The right-handed batsman pointed out that one must keep in mind that he mostly comes in to bat at number five, six or seven.

Asked if he had discussed his desire to bat at number three or four with the team management, Umar shrugged off the question simply saying that he could talk to them if they watched domestic cricket back home.

“They have not watched me bat at number three in domestic first-class cricket, that is where I bat most of the time. I can only say they will soon trust me and allow me to bat higher up the order where I feel more comfortable,” he said.

Umar however made it clear that whatever position he was sent into bat, he tried his best and tried to get big scores.

He said he was not complaining because he was ready to deliver 100 per cent at any position.

“Even now, I am working hard with my coaches to get this knack of converting good starts into big scores. I know I can do that but sometimes the situations I come in to bat I don’t have time to play long innings.”

Asked how difficult it was for him to do wicket-keeping and also bat in limited overs cricket, Umar said it was difficult to perform both roles satisfactorily.

“I never kept in first-class cricket. I used to bowl a bit but I made my debut as batsman. So at times it is difficult to deal with both roles but I do it because of team requirement.”

He said he was disappointed himself that he had not won a single man-of-the-match award in the World Cup so far.

“I am happy for Ahmed Shehzad and Sarfraz Ahmed, they won these awards but I am also looking to deliver man of the match material performances in the remaining matches of World Cup.

“Because I want people to remember me for my performances in such a big tournament,” Umar concluded.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play