Under-fire Kamran Akmal determined to improve

Kamran Akmal, the Pakistan wicketkeeper, has said he is keen to move on and improve as a wicketkeeper following a tough tour of Australia, where he came under great scrutiny. He said it was normal for all players to go through a bad patch once in a while and that the important thing was to learn from each experience.

The nadir for Akmal was the second Test at the SCG, dropping Michael Hussey three times off Danish Kaneria on the third day after missing a run-out chance. He also dropped Peter Siddle off Mohammad Sami on the fourth morning. Hussey went on to score an unbeaten 134 and helped stretched Australia's lead from 80 - at the end of the third day - to 175. Pakistan were the favourites to win on the fourth day but folded for 139 and lost the match by 36 runs and with it the series. Sarfraz Ahmed replaced him for the third Test.

"Even the greatest players who have played the game have gone through rough patches in their career. Even the likes of Ricky Ponting have gone through slumps in their form," Akmal told Pakpassion.net. "The most important thing for me to concentrate on is how I bounce back from this. The Sydney Test match was a horrible experience. There is no point in making excuses over events in Sydney.

"All I can do is to work hard on my cricket, learn from the events of Sydney and take on board the advice from colleagues and friends."

Akmal said advice from former wicketkeepers like Ian Healy and Wasim Bari has been forthcoming. He said his Australian counterpart Brad Haddin also spent time with him in Hobart, the venue of the third Test of that series.

"Ian Healy has been very helpful to me and given me some excellent technical advice and tips," Akmal said. "You can't ignore advice from a wicketkeeper of such experience and pedigree. Brad [Haddin] chatted with me in Hobart about some technical issues and told me to keep my chin up. I'm so appreciative of the advice and time that both Healy and Haddin gave me and I'll always be grateful to them."

He was also contacted by Bari, the former Pakistan wicketkeeper, who is now an official with the Pakistan Cricket Board. "Wasim Bari phoned me up after the Sydney Test match and we had a good chat. Wasim encouraged me and also told me to keep my spirits up. He is a very experienced wicketkeeper and his advice was also much appreciated."

Pakistan endured a miserable tour, losing all three Tests, five ODIs and the Twenty20. Akmal said that despite the series of defeats, the whole team had learnt plenty by just observing the professional work ethic of their opponents.

"It's tough, cricket in Australia, it's hard work and you are thoroughly tested in every aspect of your game. The preparation of the Australians and their attention to detail is something that we can all learn from. There are so many things we can take from this tour and use to improve our cricket."