espnstar.com’s Rajarshi Gupta spoke exclusively to Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal on the team’s return from Australia.

Under fire for his dismal showing in Australia, Akmal is trying to see reason behind the frenzy and anger amongst the cricket fraternity in his country.

“I admit I had a severe dip in form in Australia. I dropped catches and did not score many runs and there was bound to be some criticism.

"The media and fans hail us as heroes after we do well so they have the all right to be critical when we don’t do well.”

Akmal, with the rest of the national squad, returned from Australia on Sunday amidst tight security in the face of a heated welcome from irate fans and media.

Pakistan were walloped in the Test and ODI series and the lone Twenty20 International in a month and a half long tour of Australia and Akmal’s performance has raised questions about his role in the team.

Exhausted after the long journey back home, the lad from Lahore sounded weary as he proffered circumstances in Australia as a factor behind a dismal show.

“Look, you have to understand that Australia is not easy to tour and most teams struggle there. It is really tough playing there.

"But I am really grateful to people who stood by me during a horrible phase on tour. I spoke to Ian Healy and he gave me some tips with the gloves.

"Former Pakistani wicketkeeper Wasim Bari was helpful as well and asked me to just hang in there.”

The wicketkeeper batsman, who has for long been a first choice in the Pakistani playing XI, made a mess of it at the MCG where he managed scores of 12 and 30 while he hit rock bottom at the SCG, dropping Mike Hussey thrice off Danish Kaneria. Hussey ended up with an unbeaten 134 and Australia completed a dramatic come-from-behind Test victory.

Sarfraz Ahmed replaced Akmal for the third Test in Hobart. The senior keeper in the team had worse in store in the ODI series, where his team was drubbed 5-0.

Akmal, however, roared back to form with a belligerent 33-ball 64 even as Pakistan went down narrowly in the T20 against Australia at the MCG. That, he reckons, was a huge boost.

“Not only did I get runs in the last game but I also kept well. Hopefully that will be a turning point for me and hopefully I can maintain that form going forward.”

Whether it was a turning point or not, time will tell but for now Akmal, with his Pakistani mates have a long road ahead as they battle sharp criticism and intense post-mortems.

In the second part of our EXCLUSIVE, Kamran talks about his brother Umar Akmal and the IPL snub. Watch this space!