In an interview on a local media channel, Kamran Akram claimed that his brother Umar Akmal has a higher strike rate and average than Virat Kohli in T20 World Cup history, as per the stats he has received.

“Not me, the day before yesterday I received the stats, I am talking about Umar [Akmal]. Umar has better stats than Virat Kohli in World T20,” says Kamran Akaml. “Umar Akaml and his performances , he is nowhere near [Virat] Kohli when it comes to that, but even Umar Akmal has a better strike rate and his highest score is more than Virat Kohli’s in T20 World Cups.”

The host also noted how PR agencies shaped how the public was supposed to see players. He then pointed out that all modern-day players who were in the Pakistan T20 World Cup squad this year have PR agencies, and if their career numbers were even remotely close to Umar’s, that would have already started a social media campaign.

On the other hand, we can’t share our stats and performances on social media, as we don’t have PR companies. Just think for a moment: where would these stats be if one of these 15 were involved, It would have lit up the back pages of national news outlets resorted to old terms. I was 100% sure they would have taunted Virat Kohli, he further said.

Pakistan’s Journey in the T20 World Cup

Pakistan had a tough outing in the T20 World Cup. Defeats to the United States and India in their opening two matches left them struggling to reach the Super 8 stage. To progress, they had to beat Canada and Ireland in their other two pool games, but Ireland had to shock the USA as well.

Their important match against the USA and Ireland in Florida was washed out due to rain. Both teams were awarded one point each due to the match result, which ensured that the United States qualified for the Super 8 stage; however, it was not to be, and the rain-affected encounter between the USA and Ireland essentially knocked Pakistan out of the tournament.

Kamran Akmal’s Unexpected Perspective on Umar Akmal vs. Virat Kohli

The claims made by Kamran Akmal have initiated a discussion about the importance of statistics and public relations in cricket. Although certain stats of Umar Akmal are stunningly better compared to Virat Kohli’s stats in T20 World Cups, the overall output does matter, and the player’s aura does matter.

All of that being set straight, Pakistan not playing the T20 World Cup in 2024 still brings out the inherent unpredictability of this game and how much stuff beyond player performance and game result can and does shape the game. Kamran Akram claimed that his brother Umar Akmal has a higher strike rate and average than Virat Kohli in T20 World Cup history.