International cricket is a dog eat dog world and it would seem that there is very little room for sentiment out there between opponents. Cricket is very much a result orientated and cut throat business, but there are, it seems some exceptions to the rule.

When Pakistani wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal a veteran of nearly 200 international matches had "a bit of a mare" dropping four catches in Pakistan's shock defeat in the second test in Sydney, the last people you'd expect to help him out would be the opposition wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and former Australian wicketkeeper, now turned commentator Ian Healy.

To say that Pakistan's tour of Australia has been difficult would be a huge understatement and Kamran Akmal found the going particularly tough during the test series.

Kamran looked a forlorn and rather lonely figure after the test match at Sydney and someone who appeared to be carrying the weight of the world on his broad shoulders. Speaking to PakPassion.net from Australia, Kamran was philosophical about the events in Sydney and his subsequent omission from the team for the third test in Hobart.

"It's a fact of sport that everyone is going to go through a bad patch in their career. Even the greatest players who have played the game have gone through rough patches in their career. Even the likes of Ricky Ponting have gone through slumps in their form. The most important thing for me to concentrate on is how I bounce back from this. The Sydney test match was a horrible experience. There is no point in making excuses over events in Sydney. All I can do is to work hard on my cricket, learn from the events of Sydney and take on board the advice from colleagues and friends" stated Kamran.

Kamran who was been part of the Pakistani international set up for more than 7 years benefitted after the Sydney test from the "brotherhood of the wicketkeepers union" and added "Ian Healy has been very helpful to me and given me some excellent technical advice and tips. You can't ignore advice from a wicketkeeper of such experience and pedigree. He has talked to me about my wicketkeeping and mentioned some areas that I need to work upon. Brad (Haddin) chatted to me in Hobart about some technical issues and told me to keep my chin up. I'm so appreciative of the advice and time that both Healy and Haddin gave me and I'll always be grateful to them".

In addition to the current Australian wicketkeeper and former Australian wicketkeeper offering words of comfort, Kamran confirmed to PakPassion.net that he was also contacted by former Pakistan wicketkeeper Wasim Bari an employee of the Pakistan Cricket Board who also offered him some words of advice and encouragement. "Wasim Bari phoned me up after the Sydney test match and we had a good chat. Wasim encouraged me and also told me to keep my spirits up. He is a very experienced wicketkeeper and his advice was also much appreciated".

Akmal now wants to learn from the experience and focus on the future. "I want to take on board the Sydney experience and ensure that I learn from it. I want to work hard on my wicketkeeping and all round game and want to give my best for Pakistan in the future".

Akmal who has 11 international centuries added that the tour of Australia has been a huge learning experience for himself and his team mates. "It's tough cricket in Australia, it's hard work and you are thoroughly tested in every aspect of your game. The preparation of the Australians and their attention to detail is something that we can all learn from. There are so many things we can take from this tour and use to improve our cricket".

Despite the test and one day whitewash suffered by the Pakistanis in Australia, Akmal is hopeful that Pakistan can take their revenge in England later this year. "We play 2 tests against Australia in England later this year and I am confident that we can bounce back against Australia".

Akmal appointed vice captain for the test series in Australia said he enjoyed the responsibility of being Mohammad Yousuf's second in command. "It was an enjoyable experience and the boys really backed me up. I'd like to thank my team mates and the Board and selectors for giving me this opportunity to be vice captain of my country and I hope that I will get the chance in future".

Akmal's form certainly seemed to improve during the one day series with the gloves and a swashbuckling innings of 64 off only 33 deliveries, which was his highest Twenty/20 score may just be a sign that Akmal has got over the events of Sydney.

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
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