Kamran Akmal, the Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman, has once again found himself under scrutiny for his glovework behind the stumps. During a recent match in the World Championship of Legends 2025 between Pakistan Champions and England Champions, Akmal missed a chance, prompting a wave of reactions from cricket fans who were instantly reminded of his past errors.
For over a decade, Akmal's wicketkeeping has been a hot topic in the cricket world. Despite his batting abilities, the former Pakistan cricketer faced constant criticism for missed opportunities, including dropped catches, missed stumpings, and other mistakes that overshadowed his contributions with the bat.
The recent incident in the World Championship of Legends 2025 is not an isolated one. In the sixth over of England's chase, Shoaib Malik bowled to Phil Mustard, who stepped out of his crease and edged the ball, only for Akmal to miss the catch. This miscue immediately brought back memories of Akmal's past errors for many fans. Social media was quickly flooded with comments, with fans saying that "some things never change".
Throughout his career, Kamran Akmal has been known for inconsistent performances as a wicketkeeper. While he is a talented batsman, his glovework has often been a subject of debate. A compilation showed that he had 62 fielding blunders since 2006. Numerous videos on platforms like YouTube highlight some of his most talked-about dropped catches.
Akmal's struggles behind the stumps have, at times, overshadowed his batting achievements. He made his international debut in 2002 and proved himself as a valuable asset for Pakistan with his dynamic batting style. There were times when his place in the team was primarily due to his batting, with his questionable wicketkeeping being tolerated.
Despite the criticism, Akmal has had a long international career, representing Pakistan in various formats. He was part of the Pakistan team that won the T20 World Cup in 2009. In early 2006, his batting was particularly strong, as he scored seven international hundreds in six months.
However, his wicket-keeping woes have continued to haunt him. For instance, in a 2018 Pakistan Super League (PSL) final, he dropped a crucial catch that was described as a "sitter," leading to criticism from fans. In a 2011 match against New Zealand, he dropped four catches, including two chances for Ross Taylor, who went on to score a match-winning 131.
In light of his history, fans have often taken to social media to express their disappointment and sometimes, amusement at Akmal's errors. Some fans have gone as far as to suggest that certain dropped catches were deliberate.
Even when Akmal received the Best Wicket-Keeper Award in domestic cricket, it became a source of jokes on social media. This further highlights the perception that his wicketkeeping skills have not always matched his batting talent.
In addition to his on-field errors, Akmal's career has also been marked by controversy. In 2010, he was under the scanner for alleged spot-fixing, and the ICC wrote to him in connection with the scandal. He was also suspected of match-fixing earlier that year after dropping multiple catches in a Test match against Australia.
While Kamran Akmal has retired from all forms of cricket, his name continues to be associated with missed chances and fielding errors. Despite the criticisms, he remains a significant figure in Pakistan cricket, remembered for his batting talent, but also for the errors that have defined his career.
