Kamran Akmal's poor performance at the Champions Trophy may have put his own international career in doubt with the selection committee likely to drop him for the upcoming tour of the Caribbean, but it could spell could news for another Akmal, his brother Umar.

By Saj Sadiq (27th June, 2013)

Kamran Akmal's poor performance at the Champions Trophy may have put his own international career in doubt with the selection committee likely to drop him for the upcoming tour of the Caribbean, but it could spell could news for another Akmal, his brother Umar.

Umar Akmal was much to the annoyance and surprise of many Pakistani fans dropped for the Champions Trophy after what selectors referred to as some irresponsible shots from the exciting right hander.

However whilst elder brother Kamran's days as Pakistan's first choice wicketkeeper in limited overs cricket seem to be numbered, PakPassion understands that the selectors are contemplating utilising Umar Akmal as the wicketkeeper/batsman in the Caribbean.

Umar has kept wicket for Pakistan in several limited overs internationals with mixed results and many will question the decision to risk Umar as the wicketkeeper on a more regular basis. However after undergoing a fitness test along with 7 others including Mohammad Irfan, Haris Sohail and Raza Hasan, Umar was today spotted at the National Cricket Academy having an intense session as a wicketkeeper under the watchful eye of the coaching staff.

Alternatives to Kamran Akmal include a recall for Sarfraz Ahmed or a call up for the inexperienced yet highly rated Mohammad Rizwan who has impressed in domestic cricket last season.

If Umar Akmal is given the nod in the role of wicketkeeper batsman then it will provide flexibility to the Pakistani batting order which struggled throughout the Champions Trophy and enable Pakistan to in effect pack it's batting order.

The decision though ultimately wrests with Iqbal Qasim's selection committee in conjunction with Dav Whatmore and skipper Misbah ul Haq.

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