0
LAHORE: Promising to produce an improved show in the coming Test series against England, young middle-order batsman Umar Akmal on Thursday asserted that he would continue to play his favourite shots selectively.
“No one has asked me to stop playing my favourite shots. However, from now onwards I will try to execute my [favourite] strokes according to the team’s demand,” Umar said here at the Gaddafi Stadium at the end of the second day of Pakistan team’s training camp.
The camp is being held for the England series starting in the UAE on Jan 17.
The 26-year-old Umar, as a result of his failure to play long knocks when it really matters, led to his axing from the Test squad when Mohsin Khan (current interim head coach of national side) worked as chief selector.
However, the selection committee, now under interim chief selector Mohammad Ilyas, has recalled Umar for the three-match Test rubber against England, hoping the dashing young batsman will utilise his potential fully in the much-awaited series.
Umar, who has so far scored 1,003 runs at 35.82 in 16 Tests, defended his position by saying that he mostly batted at No.6 spot which made it difficult for him to play long knocks due to less time and extra pressure.
The young batsman, well known for his belligerent strokes under crunch situations, however acknowledged that batting impressively in pressure situation had its own charm, adding it indicated the true skills of a player.
“Like all my team-mates, I will try my best to give my 100 per cent to register big knocks. However, if I am given chance to bat at a position above No. 6, I would appreciate more to perform,” Umar, who has also featured in 53 One-day Internationals and 26 Twenty20 Internationals, remarked.
Meanwhile, fast emerging paceman Aizaz Cheema said his team would have an edge over England because the pitches in the UAE would suit Pakistan more.
Aizaz, 32, said that pitches in the UAE were almost similar to the tracks in Pakistan. He thought that the pitches during the England series would be batting-friendly.
“I will try to maintain proper line and length on these pitches, where disciplined bowling will be decisive,” the right-arm bowler stated.
To a question, he said it was hard to pick any particular England batsman as major threat to Pakistan, insisting Andrew Strauss’s side had several quality batsmen.
Aizaz, however, will have to struggle to find a place in the final eleven after left-arm pace bowler Wahab Riaz returned to national ranks while Junaid Khan was declared fit by selectors on Thursday.
Veteran Umar Gul will spearhead the pace attack in the UAE series where spinners will also have to play their due role.
