Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has shared that he holds no ill will towards Gautam Gambhir, despite their fiery altercation during an Asia Cup match in 2010. In a recent interview, Akmal described his relationship with the current Indian head coach as a friendly one, saying, “I share a good relation with him. He’s like my brother.”
The two cricketers famously clashed on the field during the 2010 Asia Cup after Akmal made an enthusiastic appeal for a caught-behind dismissal, which the umpire turned down. Gambhir, visibly frustrated, confronted Akmal during the drinks break, leading to a heated exchange that quickly became the talk of the cricketing world. Despite this moment, Akmal has now clarified that there is no bad blood between them.
Kamran Akmal on Gautam Gambhir’s first victory as a coach
Reflecting on Gambhir’s recent success as the head coach of the Indian cricket team, Akmal expressed his happiness for his former rival, stating, “I’d like to congratulate Gautam on winning his first Test as a coach, so happy for him.” Under Gambhir’s guidance, India secured a 2-0 series victory over Bangladesh in his debut Test series as head coach, marking a triumphant start to his tenure.
In the same interview, Akmal also praised former Indian captain MS Dhoni, highlighting their conversations about wicketkeeping and batting. Akmal recalled, “We used to talk a lot about wicket-keeping, we used to talk a lot about batting, and yeah, it was often good to talk to Dhoni.” He acknowledged Dhoni’s calm demeanor and match-winning abilities, calling him “an absolute match-winner” and commending his career achievements.
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Even in retirement, Dhoni continues to be a source of inspiration for players. Akmal noted that current cricketers still seek Dhoni’s advice whenever they have the opportunity to meet him. “Even today, when me or any player meets Dhoni internationally or during tours, they seek advice, ask him doubts, and learn from him,” Akmal explained. He hailed Dhoni as a cricketing legend, adding, “He’s such a good performer, he’s a legend, he’s India’s greatest captain.”
Kamran Akmal, who retired from all forms of cricket in 2023, enjoyed a distinguished career behind the stumps, accumulating 453 dismissals in international cricket – the most by any Pakistani wicketkeeper. Despite his retirement, his insights into the game and his evolving friendships with fellow cricketers like Gambhir and Dhoni continue to make headlines.
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