Let me play at no. 3 and Virat Kohli at no. 6, then compare us: Umar Akmal
NEW DELHI : Pakistani batsman Umar Akmal, who has often been criticized for not being able to convert his huge potential into match-winning performances, has cautioned people against comparing him with Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli.
Umar, in the recent PSL match between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United, helped the former secure victory by scoring 66 runs of 42 balls. Despite the contribution, he was question on his ability to finish games after being dismissed 34 runs before the target.
When asked why he has not attained the same heights as that by Virat Kohli, Umar was quoted saying by Wisden India, Look, you know more than me. When people compare me with Kohli, it’s not fair. It’s a matter of batting positions.
“Since his (Kohli) debut, he is batting at No. 3 and I have been playing at No. 6. Let me play at 3 and Kohli at 6, then compare me with him.“Compare him with Babar Azam, who is doing well at 3. He is in great form, so you can compare him with Babar.”
“I never wailed over my number,” he further insisted. “I do everything for my team. Whatever cricket I have played, it’s for the team and the number comes later. But when people compare me with Kohli, only then do I point out that I bat in the lower middle order.”
As far as comparing statistics are concerned Umar’s figures stand no where as compared to Kohli’s. The Pakistani batsman has scored 3044 runs in 116 One-Day Internationals with only two hundreds, while Kohli is miles apart with 27 hundreds in 179 matches. In total, the latter has registered tons on 17 occasions while chasing with 15 of those ending up successful.
In terms of T20Is, Umar has scored 1690 runs in 82 games with eight half-centuries while Kohli has played 1709 with 16 fifties in 48 T20Is. Umar indiscipline is also considered as one of the prime reasons behind his absence from the Test team. He notably disobeyed Misbah-ul-Haq’s instructions during the Zimbabwe tour in 2011.
