‘I don’t deserve to play’: Kamran Akmal refuses to play in PSL 2022

Pakistan’s veteran cricketer Kamran Akmal, the most-capped player in the history of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as well as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer, has refused to take part in the next edition of the league after being picked in the draft in the lowest category of players by his team Peshawar Zalmi.

Peshawar picked Kamran but the wicket keeper-batter refused to play as he feels he doesn’t “deserve to play in this category”.

“Last 6 seasons it was a great journey. Thank you for supporting me through thick and thin M.Akram bhai @JAfridi10, @darensammy88, @WahabViki. I think I don’t deserve to play in this category…Thank you once again.. @PeshawarZalmi Best of luck. Thank You all the fans for supporting,” Kamran Akmal tweeted.

Last 6 seasons it was a great journey..Thank you for supporting me through thick and thin M.Akram bhai @JAfridi10 @darensammy88 @WahabViki ..I think i don’t deserve to play in this category…Thank you once again..@PeshawarZalmi Best of luck..Thank You all the fans for supporting

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) December 12, 2021

The six PSL franchises on Sunday finalised their squads in the quest to lift the trophy at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 27.

Defending champions Multan Sultans selected Australia’s Tim David, who was previously with Lahore Qalandars, in the Platinum Category, while their other notable picks included West Indian duo of Odean Smith and Rovman Powell, and Pakistan trio of Anwar Ali, Imran Khan Snr and Rumman Raees.

Meanwhile, Zalmi’s potential final squad is as follows:

Hazratulah Zazai – Platinum

Liam Livingstone – Platinum

Wahab Riaz – Platinum

Haider Ali – Diamond

Sherfane Rutherford – Diamond

Shoaib Malik – Diamond

Hussain Talat – Gold

Saqib Mahmood – Brand Ambassador – Gold

Usman Qadir – Gold

Arshad Iqbal – Silver

Kamran Akmal – Mentor – Silver

Salman Irshad – Silver

Sameen Gul – Silver

Tom Kohler-Cadmore – Silver

Mohammad Aamer – Emerging

Sirajuddin – Emerging

Ben Cutting – Supplementary

Mohammad Haris – Supplementary