Kamran Withdraw After Category Humiliation

Kamran Akmal was at first demoted from the platinum category to the gold category by the Pakistan Cricket Board. 

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has denied participating in the 7th session of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after he was selected in the draft in the lower category by his old team Peshawar Zalmi.

Kamran Akmal, the most-capped performer in the history of the PSL as well as the tournament’s second-highest run-maker, has declined to participate in the league 2022. Naming it a “humiliation”, Akmal stated, “If it has to end like this, so be it, but I am not going to play”.

The disappointed cricketer took to social media and YouTube to voice his dismay.

Conversing on YouTube, the 39-year-old, who has performed in 53 Tests, 157 ODIs and 58 T20Is, insisted the franchise free him as he doesn’t deserve to play “in this category”.

“Please release me because I don’t deserve to play in this category. The lower categories are better suited for youngsters. I don’t want their (Peshawar Zalmi) sympathy just because I have played for them in the past six seasons.”

Ahead of the player draft, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had downgraded him from platinum to gold category.

“As far as the category is concerned, I was not happy when it was initially announced. I was very surprised to see my category demotion from Platinum to Gold despite my good track record. I have loved playing for Peshawar Zalmi. They have great management and a bunch of players,” he said on the channel.

Afterward, taking to Twitter, Akmal said, “Last 6 seasons it was a great journey. Thank you for supporting me through thick and thin… 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.”