Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has praised Team India’s bowlers for doing well on Day 2 of the Headingley Test against England despite being on the back foot. His comments came as India could only manage 78 runs on Day 1 whereas England had the upperhand on Day 2, reaching 423 for 8 at stumps as well.
For Team India, Mohammed Shami picked up three wickets, whereas Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja claimed two scalps each. Akmal, however, gave credit to the Indian bowlers for not giving up despite England being in a great position.
He said on his YouTube channel: “Mohammed Siraj looked in great rhythm, and displayed great energy as well. Mohammed Shami bowled really well and so did Jasprit Bumrah. When Siraj comes into bowl, his body language is excellent. It is not easy bowling for a day and a half. Team India, however, have bowled with heart. It is not as if they were just going through the motions.”
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Kamran Akmal, however, was disappointed with Ishant Sharma’s bowling. He has conceded 92 runs in 22 overs and failed to take a single wicket as well.
While speaking about Ishant Sharma, Akmal said: “Ishant Sharma did not look in any kind of rhythm at all. He looked off colour. From his body language, it looked like he was just running in and bowling, nothing else. There was no great effort from him, considering his experience.”
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“Team India are definitely under pressure and in a state of panic. But it is up to them to find a way out of the hole they have dug themselves in. They should adopt a bold approach with the bat. Anyways they are getting out playing defensive strokes. If they can play with the flow, who knows they might just scrape through. Remember there is even bounce on the pitch. There is not much swing and seam movement. This is a suitable pitch for Team India. It will still need a herculean effort (though),” Kamran Akmal concluded.
