Former Pakistan Test cricketer Kamran Akmal has spoken up, and his concerns hit right at the heart of Pakistan’s recent Test cricket struggles. With a tone of frustration and urgency, Akmal shed light on why Pakistan is failing to make the most of its home advantage and what needs to change in order to succeed in red-ball cricket.
Home Advantage Wasted
In a candid interview with a local news channel, Akmal did not mince his words when discussing Pakistan’s recent performances. According to him, Pakistan’s approach on home soil has been far too defensive, and this negative mindset is costing the team victories.
“We have been wasting our home advantage with a negative approach for the past two years, which is why we haven’t been winning in Test cricket on our home grounds,” Akmal stated.
His point was further emphasized by Bangladesh’s recent series win in Pakistan, which he believes serves as a wake-up call for where Pakistan currently stands in the global Test arena.
“The Bangladesh team, by winning, has shown us where we stand in Test cricket. If we don’t understand this now, then it’s goodbye for us,” he added, sounding the alarm for much-needed changes.
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Pakistan’s Approach
One of the most striking observations Kamran Akmal made was about Pakistan’s lack of a victory-oriented approach. He argued that this mindset needs to shift if Pakistan is to regain its glory in Test cricket.
A victory-oriented approach, he believes, is the key to success in modern cricket. “In modern cricket, your approach holds great importance, and it should only be about winning,” Akmal stressed.
The Franchise Cricket Distraction
Another major issue Kamran Akmal pointed out was Pakistan players’ preference for franchise T20 leagues over red-ball cricket. In his view, Pakistan’s players are not playing enough first-class cricket, which is crucial for success in Test matches.
“They apologise for not playing red-ball cricket for the past 7 or 8 months. But who told them to stop playing? Who told them to focus only on leagues around the world and not practice or play red-ball cricket?” Akmal questioned.
A Lesson from India
In a pointed comparison, Akmal praised India’s professional attitude when it comes to Test cricket preparation. He mentioned that even though India had not played red-ball cricket for a while before their series against Bangladesh, they still made sure their players were match-ready.
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“India scheduled a Duleep Trophy match, and everyone was in action. That is what a professional approach looks like,” Akmal said, underscoring the need for better planning and preparation on Pakistan’s side.
At the end of the day, Kamran Akmal believes success in cricket—especially Test cricket—boils down to one thing: a professional attitude. He emphasized that without a winning mentality and a dedicated approach to preparation, Pakistan cricket will continue to struggle.
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