As the countdown for the high-voltage clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan continues, former Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal has reflected on his thoughts about the role of a wicket-keeper in the shortest format.
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Akmal highlighted that wicketkeepers are more effective when they bat in the top order. His statements were made in the context of Mohammad Rizwan, who used to open the innings for Pakistan but has been dropped for the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 tournament.
Similarly, with India's Sanju Samson being demoted as an opener for the tournament to include vice-captain Shubman Gill, Akmal's statement indirectly implicates the RR batter, who could be pushed down as low as No. 5.
Wicket-keepers should bat in the top 3, says Kamran Akmal
In his playing days, Akmal as a wicket-keeper batter, used to bat in the top order. Sharing experiences from his own career at the top order, Akmal strongly believes that keepers should feature in the top 3.
Pakistan has followed the tradition of sending wicketkeepers to bat at the top. Mohammad Rizwan, their former skipper, used to open the innings for the side in the shortest format. Rizwan, however, is no longer part of the squad.
"Any wicket-keeper in the Pakistan side is suitable to play in the top three," said Kamran Akmal in his recent YouTube podcast with The Game Plan. "In my opinion, any wicket-keeper who bats in the top three makes the team combination better."
Mohmmad Haris and Sahibzada Farhan, the current wicket-keeper-batters from Pakistan, have also featured in the top order.
Will Sanju Samson bat in the top order for India?
Akmal's statement on wicketkeepers has also brought implications for the Indian team management, especially with the presence of Sanju Samson and the inclusion of Shubman Gill in the squad.
Samson played in India's opening encounter against the UAE and was slotted to bat in the middle order. However, he has been India's opener in the shortest format for the past few series.
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With Gill's return at the top and Abhishek Sharma's magnificent bat form, Samson's demotion down the order is inevitable. India's top four consist of Gill, Sharma, Surya, and Tilak Varma, all of whom have been in top form.
As India takes on Pakistan in their next encounter, Sanju is most likely expected to bat down the order and play a finishing role, alongside Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya.
India hammered the UAE in their opening encounter and will now take on Pakistan on Sunday, September 14th at the Dubai International Stadium.
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