A string of failures with the bat and a below par performance behind the stumps was haunting the young wicket-keeper until that spectacular ton and crucial partnership with Misbah-ul-Haq at the Eden Gardens a few days back kept Pakistan alive in the series.

The team management has indirectly ‘rewarded’ the 25-year-old for the blitzkrieg, with reserve stumper Sarfraz Ahmed flying back home and pacer Rao Ifthikar Anjum coming out as replacement. Coming into the third Test here beginning on Saturday, Akmal was a picture of confidence.

“The performance in the last Test has really inspired us. We would like to continue that form and we are confident of victory in the final match,” said Akmal, during a visit to the Nokia Concept Store in the City along with captain Shoaib Malik, stand-in skipper Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah, Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed and Danish Kaneria.

The elegant stroke-maker from Lahore, who had been a thorn in India’s flesh -- four of his five Test centuries have come against the arch-rivals -- conceded that the series so far has gone mostly the batsmen’s way.

“It has been really tough on the bowlers in these conditions. But even so, the bowlers they have done well to get wickets. I hope our bowlers deliver the goods in the last match,” remarked the wicket-keeper.

On a query regarding the camaraderie between the two sides on the field, Akmal nodded in approval. “The series has gone good so far for both teams. I hope it will end that way too.”

No frayed tempers or aggressive flare-ups, agreed. But the can Indians can expect another violent charge by Akmal with the bat, maybe even a match-winning one this time around.