Kamran Akmal to be rested for SA ODI series

KARACHI: Pakistan are set to rest wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal for the one-day series against South Africa after his horrendous performance behind the stumps in Test matches.

Chief selector Wasim Bari, who is due to leave for South Africa soon to discuss with captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and coach Bob Woolmer the final squad for the upcoming World Cup, said he had advised the team management to rest Akmal in the one-day series to allow him regain his confidence.

"He apparently has lost his confidence. He is very tense behind the stumps and not keeping his eyes on the ball which is why he is messing up things. Rashid Latif and Moin Khan have given him advice and I have also spoken to him, but he has not improved," Bari, himself a top class wicketkeeper and former captain, said.

Bari said he would talk to Akmal, who missed a lot of catches and stumpings in the Test series, after reaching South Africa.

Pakistan is expected to play reserve wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider in the one-day series starting from Sunday.

He said since the one-day series in South Africa finishes on February 14 and the Pakistan Cricket Board has to submit the final 15-member World Cup squad on February 13, it was necessary for him to have final discussions with the team management.

Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Shabbir Ahmed, Abdul Rehman have left for South Africa to join the team for the one-dayers.