LAHORE: Pakistan cricket star Umar Akmal was released on bail on Sunday, a day after his arrest for violating traffic rules and scuffling with a policeman.

The 23-year-old was charged with interfering with government work and ‘scuffling’ with the policeman after he failed to stop at a traffic signal and refused to show documents on Saturday.

Traffic policeman Mohammad Zeeshan accused the youngest of the Akmal brothers of tearing his uniform and assaulting him, charges the batsman denied.

Umar’s lawyer said the court allowed bail in the sum of Rs100,000.

“Umar’s bail has been confirmed,” lawyer Wasim Mumtaz said. “We will register our protest as Umar was kept under unlawful detention.”

Umar later told reporters he had tried his best to comply with the law. “It was a case of police showing their strength and I tried my level best to resolve the matter.”

Umar’s father criticised the arrest.

“When our own people insult our national heroes then the rest of the world will also do this,” said Mohammad Akmal.—AFP

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