Hyderabad Police clears Umar Akmal in 'dance party' case

Published November 20, 2015
The hard-hitting batsman came under fire after he was allegedly involved in activities that bought 'disrepute to Pakistan cricket'. — AFP/File
The hard-hitting batsman came under fire after he was allegedly involved in activities that bought 'disrepute to Pakistan cricket'. — AFP/File

Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal was cleared by the Hyderabad police on Monday after the 25-year-old was alleged to have been involved in 'unethical activities' at a party in the city.

The hard-hitting batsman came under fire after he was allegedly involved in an incident that bought 'disrepute to Pakistan cricket' at an event which the police described as a 'dance party'.

Umar was included in Pakistan's T20 squad for the England series after receiving clearance by the police, chief selector Haroon Rasheed said.

“Now that he has been cleared after an inquiry into the Hyderabad incident, he has been included in the squad,” Rasheed said.

A press statement by the PCB released last Thursday stated that the 25-year-old had been dropped from Pakistan’s T20 squad for England series, pending an official inquiry.

“Umar Akmal was in contention for a place in the T20 squad, but he was not considered following the board issuing him a show-cause notice after the press reports revealed that he had brought the PCB and Pakistan cricket into disrepute,” the PCB statement said.

The batsman was axed from the squad on the instructions of the PCB chief Shaharyar Khan. “There should be an inquiry and Umar will be given an opportunity and after that we will take action,” the board supremo told reporters last Thursday.

Umar on Monday responded to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) show-cause notice saying: “I attended a dinner party after being granted official permission by [SNGPL’s] team manager.”

The Pakistan T20 skipper Shahid Afridi on Sunday also called for the Umar Akmal case to be solved as soon as possible.

The all-rounder said that the PCB should look to solve matters as early as possible as Akmal was an important part of Afridi’s preparations for next year’s World T20 in India.

“The investigation regarding Umar Akmal should finish as soon as possible and the decision should be taken early as he is an important part of my plans for the T20 side, especially for the World T20 next year,” said the star cricketer.

Afridi's wish may have come true as the clearance by the Hyderabad police can lead to Umar's re-inclusion in the Pakistan T20 side which faces England in a three-match T20 series which kicks off in the UAE on November 26.

Opinion

Editorial

Canal consensus
Updated 29 Apr, 2025

Canal consensus

There is urgent need for such high-level engagement and consultation, especially considering climate-related crises Pakistan faces.
Incursions thwarted
29 Apr, 2025

Incursions thwarted

THE military’s media wing has released details of infiltration attempts by terrorists based in Afghanistan, saying...
Pension reforms
29 Apr, 2025

Pension reforms

The federal government has finally notified another pension reform that requires retired public servants rehired by...
At heat’s mercy
Updated 28 Apr, 2025

At heat’s mercy

The current heatwave is a dire warning of what lies ahead if Pakistan fails to confront the realities of climate change.
Culture war
28 Apr, 2025

Culture war

THE heightened tensions between India and Pakistan have sealed the fate of Abir Gulaal. Slated for a May release and...
Haj mismanagement
28 Apr, 2025

Haj mismanagement

THE relevant authorities in Pakistan are often blamed for negligence and poor management when it comes to Haj...