Muhabbet ho to aaisi! With all the ridiculous & desperate statements made by K.Akmal, I won’t be surprised if Mr.K is using his superstar brother to help him retain his place. Now we can have a debate on U.Akmal. Family or Career 
Akmal brothers using pressure tactics?
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/images/shim.gif
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/images/shim.gif
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/images/shim.gif
Umar Akmal makes himself a doubtful starter for the Hobart Test saying he has a back problem*
Monday, January 11, 2010
From Khalid Hussain
HOBART: Umar Akmal on Sunday complained of a stiff back, making himself a doubtful starter for Pakistan’s third and final Test against Australia starting here from Thursday.
However, ‘The News’ has learnt through reliable sources that the 19-year-old batsman could be faking the problem in a bid to pressurize the team management to retain Kamran Akmal — his elder brother — for the Hobart Test.
Kamran is supposed to pay the price for his horrible showing in the second Test in Sydney last week by making way for young stumper Sarfraz Ahmed for the third Test here.
Sarfraz was rushed to Australia by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after Kamran dropped three sitters and also wasted a run-out chance during the Sydney Test which Pakistan lost by 36 runs on the fourth day after taking a 206-run first innings lead.
Immediately after the end of the Sydney Test on Wednesday, the PCB announced that it is sending Sarfraz to Australia as a replacement for Kamran, adding that the 22-year-old gloveman will ‘participate’ in the Hobart Test.
Sarfraz, who is yet to make his Test debut but has played One-day Internationals for Pakistan, arrived in Hobart on Sunday and will be attending the pre-match practice sessions over the next three days.
However, sources told this correspondent that an influential group of players in the Pakistan squad is unhappy over the possible axing of Kamran and is pushing for his spot in the playing eleven for the Hobart Test.
Even Mohammad Yousuf, the Pakistan captain, is reluctant to drop Kamran as he is of the view that the experienced player is a key component of the team’s batting order.
Sources said that Umar’s back problem which came out of the blue is linked to Kamran’s possible axing from the Hobart Test.
Umar, who just made a sensational debut last November against New Zealand, has already become an important member of the national team because of his aggressive batting. The Lahore youngster smashed a century (129) on debut in Dunedin and has since then piled up 555 runs from five Tests at 55.50 with one ton and four fifties.
He has shown no signs of fitness problems but suddenly complained of a back injury after a couple of practice sessions here at the Bellerive Oval.
“Umar has a stiff back. It’s nothing serious and we expect him to be fit for the third Test,” Intikhab Alam, the Pakistan coach, told ‘The News.
“It is not uncommon for players to have such problems and I think that with some treatment he should be okay,” Intikhab added.
However, things might not be that simple.
Sources placed inside the Pakistan team said that Umar could opt to stay away from the forthcoming Test because of the ‘injury’ to bring the tour selection committee under pressure to keep faith in Kamran for the final Test.
Kamran, meanwhile, announced that he has the support of his teammates and officials and hopes to play here later this week.
The under-fire wicketkeeper said on Sunday that critics should not judge him on the basis of his showing on ‘one bad day’.
“I was very successful with my batting and wicketkeeping on the tour of New Zealand tour and in the matches before that tour.
“But I think the third day of the Sydney Test match was not good for me. But this happens. I’m very keen. My confidence is very high.”
Kamran, it seems, is confident that he will play in Hobart. “Inshallah, definitely, for this upcoming Test match … I will perform very well. I will play the third Test match and more matches for my country.”
Kamran said that he is aware of the strong criticism back home but was quick to add that he remains focussed on the next Test.
“I know the people are very disappointed for this performance in the Sydney Test…(But) I’m concentrating on calming down and performing well in the next Test match.”
Kamran’s upbeat mood indicates that he is getting much-needed support from the Pakistan dressing room. But if he plays in Hobart in spite of a stern announcement by the PCB will mean that player power stills reigns supreme in Pakistan cricket.
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=218079
