Image credit: Dawn
Seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has finally agreed to play the seventh edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Peshawar Zalmi, ESPNcricinfo reported.
The 39-year-old top-order batter, who is the second-highest run-scorer in the PSL history, had earlier refused to participate in the PSL 7 after being demoted to the Silver category in the draft on Sunday.
“The lower categories are better suited for youngsters. I don’t want their [Peshawar Zalmi] sympathy just because I have played for them in the past six seasons.
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“As far as the category is concerned, I was not happy when it was initially announced. I was very surprised to see my category demotion from Platinum to Gold despite my good track record.
“I have loved playing for Peshawar Zalmi. They have great management and a bunch of players,” he had concluded.
However, the team management of Peshawar Zalmi managed to get him on board after a detailed discussion and announced on Wednesday that he was ‘very much part of the squad.’
“Kamran is our senior player and we respect him, Mohammad Akram, Zalmi’s head coach, told ESPNcricinfo.
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“Picking him in the Silver category was a part of our strategy as draft dictates who you pick at what stage. We had the right-to-match card with us and we saved it for him in case any team could have tried to pick him. So when you have a tool to protect your player you make sure that he isn’t hurt money wise.
“We respect his feelings but once I explained to him, he understood. We lifted him in the silver category but at the same time, we named him as a mentor as well. He is a very senior cricketer and as a coach, I get motivation from his passion and hunger and hard work that he still puts in like an Under-19 boy. So it’s all sorted and he is very much part of our side,” the Zalmi head coach added.
