*DUBAI:* During Saturday’s post-match media conference here at the SharjahCricket Stadium, the Pakistan coach was asked whether the 36-year-oldwicket-keeper-batsman Kamran Akmal merits a recall after he had blasted abrilliant unbeaten 107 against Lahore Qalandars, while steering defendingchampions Peshawar Zalmi to the PSL playoffs.
Arthur came straight to the point. “To be brutally honest I really don’tthink Kamran fits into our plans going forward with a young team into the[upcoming] matches against the West Indies. There’s no doubt in my mindabout his abilities as a very fine batsman and he’s form has been awesomein this PSL.
He’s one of those guys who never says never and he played beautifullyagainst Lahore and was truly outstanding. But then the same old questionthat comes to mind is where will Kamran field? Because Sarfraz Ahmed wouldkeep wickets and he’s the Pakistan captain.
To be fair to Kamran, he really scored a wonderful century but we got to berealistic as well,” Arthur replied. “Pakistan are the world No. 1 T20 sideat the moment and so there won’t be too many changes for that seriesagainst the West Indies, I guess,” he added.
Kamran is the leading run-getter in the current edition, as he was lastyear when he scored 353, with 347 runs ahead of Tuesday’s first eliminatorclash Quetta Gladiators in Lahore.