Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket. Akmal, who is currently serving as a temporary batting consultant for Peshawar Zalmi, ruled out the possibility of participating as a player in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He also made it clear that he intends to venture into other roles such as coaching.
"I will not be able to play cricket anymore because of my new responsibilities as a selector and a coach," the 41-year-old told reporters on Tuesday.
Akmal last donned the Pakistan jersey in April 2017. He hangs up his boots having represented the Men in Green in 53 Tests, 153 ODIs and 58 T20Is. He finishes his career with 6871 international runs and a remarkable 13481 first-class runs.
Kamran Akmal Made His International Debut In 2002
The right-handed batter made his Test debut 21 years ago against Zimbabwe at Harare in November 2002. His last Test match was at the Lord's Cricket Ground in 2010 against England. He made his ODI debut, the same year he played his red-ball match for the national team against the same opposition. The stumper's first appearance in a T20I came in 2006 and it was in this format of the game in which he continued to fight for a place in the team but couldn't get a game after 2017 against West Indies.
Kamran was recently appointed as the head of junior selection committee that will conduct the U13, U16 and U19 trials while an ESPNCricinfo report also stated that he was named among the members of Pakistan's senior men's national selection committee.
Kamran's younger brother Umar Akmal also represented the country at the highest level but is currently out of favour having last played an international match in 2019. Umar, however, will participate in the forthcoming season of the Pakistan Super League, where he represents Quetta Gladiators.
The 32-year-old had been suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for failing to report a match fixing approach. However, he has since then resumed playing domestic cricket.