Former Pakistan cricket star Kamran Akmal has surprised many by agreeing with former England captain Michael Vaughan’s statement that playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is better than facing Pakistan in the current T20I series. Vaughan suggested that England’s players would have been better prepared for the upcoming T20 World Cup by participating in the IPL rather than returning for the Pakistan series. Akmal acknowledged this view, citing Pakistan’s recent disappointing performances and the high quality of IPL cricket.
Pakistan Cricket’s Recent Struggles
Akmal highlighted Pakistan’s struggles in recent matches, losing even to smaller teams like Ireland. He noted that Vaughan’s comment reflected Pakistan’s current cricketing standards. According to Akmal, if Pakistan were performing like top teams such as New Zealand, South Africa, or India, Vaughan would not have made such remarks. He emphasized that Pakistan needs to acknowledge their shortcomings and improve their game.
The High Standards of IPL
In Akmal’s view, the IPL represents “tough and quality cricket” because it features the best bowlers and batters from around the world, playing in front of large crowds. This high level of competition, he argued, makes the IPL an excellent preparation ground for major tournaments like the T20 World Cup. Akmal suggested that Pakistan could learn from the competitive environment of the IPL to enhance their own cricketing standards.
Using Criticism as Motivation
Akmal urged Pakistan to use Vaughan’s criticism as motivation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. He believes that this could be an opportunity for Pakistan cricket to revamp and grow. Akmal called on the team to prove their worth and not let even smaller teams like the USA see them as easy opponents. He also criticized the Pakistan cricket administration, blaming the Chairman for the current state of the team. Akmal concluded by hoping that Pakistan would rise to the challenge and improve their performance in future games.
