PSL 2021: Kamran Akmal says no friendship when facing Hasan Ali

Karachi: Kamran Akmal, the senior batsman of Pakistan Super League (PSL) team Peshawar Zalmi, has said that he’s positive and well prepared for the action-packed encounters of the league that starts on Saturday.

Talking exclusively to Geo Super, the 39-year-old wished his former Zalmi teammate Hasan Ali good luck but ruled out any immediate possibility of changing teams like the bowler did. “Hasan is a professional cricketer and decided to change his team. My best wishes are always with him,” he said.

“I enjoyed his company and I would want him to do well for his new team as well, but let me tell you – when we are facing each other, there won’t be any friendship,” Akmal warned his former Zalmi teammate.

The most successful batsman of PSL history added that he will try to do his best to make his team successful in 6th edition of the league. “If it is your day, you can score even 150 in a T20 innings, just like Aaron Finch did. I always focus on giving my best and 100 percent to my team; aiming to provide them a good start,” Akmal said.

“We have a very good side this time, the boxes that we felt were empty were filled in players draft and Zalmi’s squad is in good shape with eyes on PSL trophy,” he added.

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The wicket-keeper batsman, however, admitted that the team will miss David Miller in initial matches. Miller returned to South Africa after conclusion of the three-match T20I series against Pakistan last week to participate in country’s domestic tournament. He will be available to Zalmi in the later stage of the league.

Akmal, who has been a part of Peshawar Zalmi since the league started, said that he is enjoying the team environment and feel much empowered under the coaching staff.

The all-time leading run scorer of PSL said that his aim is to perform according to team’s requirement and personal accolades don’t matter much for him. “I don’t even know who has the record of highest individual inning in PSL, never thought about breaking any records. The only thing that stays on my mind is doing what my team wants me to do,” he said.

The veteran cricketer praised Darren Sammy saying that he keeps the Zalmi dressing room lively and knows the art to make his players perform. “He’s best captain. He knows how to handle players and that’s why he has won to world T20 titles,” the wicket-keeper batsman said.

Akmal also encouraged the spectators to follow Covid-19 SOPs when they visit the ground to witness PSL games. “If they act responsibly today, then there’s a possibility that the number of spectators will be increased in days to come,” he added. 

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