Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal points to a 2005 tour of Australia as the turning point in his career and says tips from Adam Gilchrist helped him make big strides at international level.
The 24 year old chalked up seven Test and one-day centuries over the last 14 months, but says he still has a long way to go before being ranked alongside great wicketkeepers such as Australia's Gilchrist.
"I spoke on a couple of occasions to Gilchrist while we were in Australia. It helped a lot," Akmal told Reuters in an interview on Friday. "That tour has been the turning point for me as it gave me the confidence I could hold on to my place in the team.
"I have always admired our former captains Rashid Latif and Moin Khan for their performances but Gilchrist is someone who has been a source of inspiration for me among the modern day players.
"If I can match his feats I would be satisfied I have achieved something in my field," he said.
Akmal only took to wicketkeeping after being rejected as a batsman in trials held to select the Pakistan team that played in the Under 15 World Cup in England.
Akmal, who came into the team in 2002, said he is enjoying the responsibility of being the only keeper in the Test and one-day sides.
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Akmal, who scored three hundreds against England in the last home series, praised England's bowling attack and said it had been a challenge facing up to Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff.
"Compared to England, the Indians bowling is not as penetrative but one learns a lot from just watching their batsmen from behind the stumps."
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