KARACHI: Kamran Akmal, Peshawar Zalmi’s star batsman, says he takes no pressure on the field and plays with a positive mind since it helps him perform better during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) tournament.

A veteran cricketer, Akmal has made 2,648 runs in 53 test matches with the help of six centuries while representing Pakistan. He has also scored 2,924 runs in 137 ODIs with the help of five centuries.

The Peshawar Zalmi batsman has scored 704 runs during his brief international T20 career. His PSL record is super impressive, and he has scored three centuries in the tournament. Cameron Delport, Colin Ingram and Sharjeel Khan are the other three batsmen who have made single centuries each. Akmal has also played the highest number of 51 PSL matches.

“I feel no pressure, I play with a positive mind so I can perform for my team,” Akmal told Arab News, adding: “I play the way my team demands.”

The Zalmi batsman said all PSL bowlers were excellent and it was not possible to take anyone of them lightly. “Cricket is a game of single bowl. One can lose wicket on that. So we have to prepare ourselves. Will try to play in accordance to the given plan.”

Commenting on cricket’s return to Pakistan, he said: “We were missing [the home crowd] for the last ten to twelve years. It is PSL that has brought international cricket back to the country. There can no bigger achievement than this,” Akmal said, adding that the law enforcement agencies, Pakistan Cricket Board and franchise owner should be collectively praised for the accomplishment.

Akmal recalled when the first PSL games were played in Pakistan, the crowd did not see if the team belonged to Karachi or Lahore: They supported and welcomed each team, giving a positive message to the world.

He also praised his captain Darren Sammy for the return of International cricket in Pakistan.

“Credit should be given to Javed Afridi who brought Darren Sammy. It should also be given to Darry Sammy who brought Marvin Samuel and other players. Other teams also did their efforts in this regard,” he said.

Akmal praised the inclusion of Hashim Amla as Peshawar Zalmi’s batting mentor.

“In a dressing room, when there is a player like Hashim Amla, one does not need to tell anything to the juniors,” he said. “When a great player is sitting in our dressing room, we learn a lot from him. I also speak to Hashim Amla and try to benefit from his presence.”