'I don’t deserve to play in this category': Dejected Kamran Akmal pulls out of PSL 7 after being demoted to Silver category

Kamran Akmal is massively disappointed after being demoted to the Silver category in the player draft for the PSL 7. The seasoned campaigner was roped in by Peshawar Zalmi in the player draft. However, the wicketkeeper batter does not want to play in the Silver category. The player requested the franchise to release him and give chance to some young players.

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In a conversation on his YouTube channel "Catch and bat with Kamran Akmal", the 39-year-old said, "Perhaps the team has no use for me anymore."
"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 Peshawar Zalmi's sympathy just because I have played for them in the past six seasons."

Akmal, who has been a top performer for Zalmi for several seasons, said he was taken aback when his category was changed from Platinum to Gold category in the last season. Akmal revealed that he agreed to play in the gold category but in the draft, they further demoted him to the Silver category which is not acceptable.

"I was surprised with my category demotion from Platinum to Gold despite my good track record. I had motivated myself to play even when I was demoted to the Gold category. But suddenly being drafted into a lower category, after having done well for so many years, is very difficult. While they agreed to pay me the salary as per the Gold category, it's not about the money," Akmal further said.

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Akmal has so far scored 1820 runs, which includes three hundreds for Zalmi. His good starts upfront has often laid the foundation for the team posting huge scores, or chasing tall targets. The 39-year-old also took to Twitter to thank Zalmi franchise owner Javed Afridi, team members.

“Last 6 seasons it was a great journey. Thank you for supporting me through thick and thin M.Akram bhai @JAfridi10 @darensammy88 @WahabViki..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," he tweeted.