'Satisfied' Pak selectors say Umar Akmal given 'dual role' for 'De Villiers-like grooming'

The national Pakistani selection committee and the team management are reportedly satisfied with the efficacy of Umar Akmal as a wicketkeeper-batsman, with a selector saying that Akmal was given the dual role to groom him like South African ODI captain AB de Villiers.

The youngest of the three Akmal brothers, the middle-order batsman was handed the gloves on the tour of the West Indies earlier this year after several regular wicket-keepers failed to cement their place.

According to the Express Tribune, the committee is happy with Akmal despite his wicket-keeping ability drawing divided opinion from experts with the selector saying that when the young player was given the dual role the idea was to groom him like De Villiers, adding that as a keeper, Akmal is doing a fine job.

The selector further said that the team management also appears satisfied as they have not received any request for replacement since he was selected for keeping, adding that with Akmal in the team, they have an option to select an extra batsman to fortify the batting line-up.

The selector also said that Akmal has emerged as a cushion before their 'tail' after his induction as a keeper and is on track to fulfill what they had hoped for, although he did not deny the criticism heaped on Akmal and added that the keeper needs to concentrate more on his batting where improvement is required.