Kamran Akmal is proving to be a thorn in the side for India. He again dashed India's hopes with a fighting century to lead Pakistan's fightback in the second Test in Kolkata.
This was not the first time India were subjected to his batting prowess as the 25-year-old notched his fourth Test century against the hosts.
Akmal scored a magnificent 119, adding 207 runs for the sixth wicket with Misbah-ul-Haq, who was unbeaten on 108 as Pakistan ended Day 3 in the Test on 358 for six.
"I thank God first of all. It was tough for us as the wicket was not playing easy and we had lost four early wickets in the first hour," Akmal said at the end of the day's play.
He added that Misbah's positive approach helped him a great deal at the start of his innings.
"To score the runs here was very satisfying. Misbah was a help as he played positively," Akmal said.
He rated the century highly since it came in such difficult circumstances.
"This century was difficult. The pitch was helping the spinners and there was a big crowd too. So there was a lot of pressure on us. But we tried to play positive and keep the runs coming," the wicketkeeper said.
"The planning was that we should keep the scoreboard ticking. We were taking it 30 minutes at a time," he added.
Akmal, however, said he lost his wicket at the wrong time when he fell to Harbhajan Singh in the penultimate over of the day
"I think I got out at the wrong time. I should have played on," he said.
Akmal believes that the match is still open and Pakistan will need to score at least around 80 runs in their first innings to be on the safer side.
"There are still two days' play left and the wicket is not easy to bat on. I think that the match is very open still now, we need to score at least 80 runs more," he said.
The wicketkeeper hoped that this innings would boost his confidence and help him improve his showing his behind the wickets.
"I want to be a keeper-batsmen. I have spoken to my seniors and former wicketkeepers on how to improve my keeping. Hopefully I will get my peak form in keeping too," he said.
