Last few months have been very tough for me, says Umar Akmal
40
KARACHI: Middle-order batsman Umar Akmal has been out of contention for the national selection since the ICC World T20 earlier this year due to ‘disciplinary issues’.
However, the upcoming three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series between Pakistan and the West Indies in United Arab Emirates (UAE) will see the flamboyant batsman return to the national side after a five month hiatus.
Akmal, who last donned Pakistan colours in March, aims a controversy free comeback to the national side.
“My aim is to make a controversy free comeback.
“The last few months have been very hard on me because I was out of the team. However, playing in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) helped me to remain focused,” the 26-year-old told DawnNews in an exclusive interview.
“The upcoming series against Windies is very important for me. I want to help the team win so I can regain a spot in the One-Day International line-up.
Akmal is in prime form in the shorter format, having struck 304 runs at a staggering average of 101 runs in six contests for Lahore Whites in the ongoing National T20 Cup.
He scored a brilliant 115 not-out from 48 balls at a telling rate of 239 on Monday, plundering Yasir Arafat for 34 runs in an over — hitting five sixes and a four to complete his century.
“I thank Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for granting me a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for CPL. My run in the league helped me to score runs in the domestic T20 cup which got me selected for the national side,” he said, adding, “I thank PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan for giving me confidence.”
Akmal, who averages 26.80 in 79 T20I, said his ultimate desire is to wear Pakistan's golden star on his chest in the Test format.
“I want to end my cricket career like Pakistan batting greats — Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas, Younis Khan, Inzamam ul Haq, and Misbah ul Haq.”
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (40) Closed
Sep 10, 2016 07:54pm
PCB should have brought Iftikhar ahmad instead of him, i can guarantee he will make troubles again. Afridi supported him a lot and what he did with afridi in wt20 is in front of everyone.
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 08:01pm
Stop talking and go and score some runs. Actions my friend, speak louder than words. Youve played under Younis for so long, and you havent learned the most basic rule. Let youre bat do the talking, as Younis has done.
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 08:08pm
Please no statements. Actions speak louder than words. So perform on and off the field and don't throw away your wicket through poor shot selection. Become a finisher for Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 08:25pm
If you continue your behavior you will have tougher times to come
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 08:35pm
PCB needs to get him help to transform his talent into a match winning player, and develop his mental attitude and character!
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 08:48pm
But he declared that he can do better only if media supports him...Will he ? He should realize that game is greater than individuals. Need of the hour is humbleness..
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 08:49pm
Replace it with shoaib malik.
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 08:50pm
It's been more than six years since Umar is trying to cement his place but mainly immaturity over confidence and selfcentered behavior kept him out of the team. If he still maintains these attributes then he will be out again very soon. Talent alone takes you where he is after six years. Look how Sarfraz, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq have developed to mature cricketers.
I have my doubts as Misbah being there for last six years and Umar didn't learn any thing from him....he only listens to Akmals family
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 08:56pm
He keeps talking all the time and turns out be disappointment everytime...
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 09:07pm
I wish you good luck and remember no more monkey business like you and your brother did in the past. Pay attention to your cricket and nothing else because this is your last chance as Pakistan has plenty of talent from all over Pakistan
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 09:17pm
Never ending story continues. Umar A will definately upset Sarfaraz and Azhar once he finds his place.
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 09:18pm
Please do not compare yourself with Javed etc. They were honest and sincere players.
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 09:22pm
Everyone deserves a chance but you've already had dozens. You have always let us down and you are unable to perform consistently. You are an average player and could probably have a place in the squad but your influence has always been negative - so you should be kept far away. You have poor discipline and always employ politics. Unfortunately, the problem may be genetic. I would say you must prove yourself for much longer than 5 months away from the squad for your next chance.
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 09:29pm
I hope he has sorted himself out
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 09:34pm
its obvious whatever is said/written about him affects him. PCB should ensure young cricketers who come from all different backgrounds are nurtured as human beings also who know how to channel emotions and understand feelings
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 10:22pm
He might play a series trouble free and then again have problems in the next.lets hope he is truly remorseful this time
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 10:38pm
(Ref headline of this article) Who is to blame? Yourself only. PCB gave you plenty of chances. Discipline yourself before even dreaming to tag your name with those great names mentioned in the last line. But if you can overcome your superiority complex, improve your attitude, and stop thinking yourself a superman/super cricketer, you can even leave them behind, as you do have the potential. If you don't control yourself, that potential will be drained.
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 10:50pm
So, this is the guy being compared with "The Kohli" ?
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 10:58pm
Rahatali,Sohailkhan,Younis,Hafeez,shahid,hv to play for nxt wc. umarakmal and squad of 2015 wc hv to gc chances for odi.
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 11:10pm
Man I find this man self-centred, egoistic, and immature. He always plays the victim card even though he has been unfairly given more chances then anyone. His off field attitude shows that he does take his privileged career seriously but what does he do? He says its been tough, so whose fault is that? A real leader is selfless and would take the weight of challenges upon himself as well as the team's!! Umar, for the love of god grow up, its for your own sake! Its not to late. You mention you want to be like the greats, well let your ego go and ask them to be your mentor and you too can be great. Trust me!
Recommend
0
Sep 10, 2016 11:38pm
Keep gaze down and play you can be amongst the great.
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 12:11am
Last few yrs have been very tough for me as I have been trying to cope with Umar Akmal's inclusion in the team.
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 12:24am
You brought tough time on to yourself.You thought you are invincible and could behave any way you like.
Hope you leave this attitude behind and focus on your game.
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 12:35am
Have zero confidence in any of the Akmal brothers coming through for Pakistan when it matters most.
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 01:12am
Umar just play cricket and show the world your talent. Don't get involved in the controversy with Team captain and Management.
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 01:25am
In re-counting Pakistani Greats, he missed out on the very first one "Late Hanif Mohammad"
He needs to learn about Cricket History of Pakistan!
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 02:05am
So many chances given and he failed mostly all of them. Earlier in his career he faked injury to sit out of a test in Australia and now he wants a comeback? He's a bad influence on the team. Let's move on.
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 02:15am
Based on your past performance in International matches,it will be very difficult to find place among Current team.All 11 look better than your performance in shorter format.I don't think your performance is consistent enough to demand selection on merit.It is because of your nightmare performance and Afridi kept playing forever despite repeated failures that Pakistan slipped to Number 09 ranking in ODI.If I was you I would have told selection committee I am not good enough to be in ODI team.
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 02:37am
Change your attitude and behavior this is last chance for you to become good boy and play and this game of gentleman not street fighter. Be nice.
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 02:44am
@Mudi
Fully agree.
Just play cricket.
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 03:18am
That is very positive statement and hopefully he would show his full talent
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 03:51am
Umer Akmal does not deserve to be in the national team, his contributions will be only marginal and will continue to create problems for the team. His selection is a mistake.
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 05:08am
Yaar please leave Pakistan and its cricket team alone. We know Akmals brother contribution to Pakistani cricket. Bad behavior can be tolerated with good performance unfortunately you don't have both. Just give this spot to a hard working kid in the camps that is probably dying to make a one time appearance in the international arena. You are just wasting everyone's time ..
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 09:30am
Ironically these few months were far better for Pak team and I hope it works well for you this time.
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 01:43pm
Yes, bad actions make people pay for them and Umar Akmal is no exception to it.
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 02:54pm
@Amit Sharma I haven't seen any poster comparing him to kohli. They are all critical of him which he has brought upon himself due to his poor attitude towards the game and his team mates etc
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 03:00pm
@Yusuf we all need some sympathy after reading this
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 05:49pm
The team looked united under Sarfaraz Ahmed. Bringing in likes of Umer Akmal will distroy team's unity and spoil dressing room environment.
Recommend
0
Sep 11, 2016 07:16pm
New talent is ready to replace few of so called arrogant big heads such as Afridi, Shahzad and Akmal brothers , so there is no need to give any one of them another chance. He got too many chances but the results and trouble Pakistan cricket faced we all know!!
There is no need to count his great performance against weak domestic teams . He got too many chance in past against the similar performance but at international level always failed at big event such as last WC not to mention all unnumbered disciplinary and attitude issues!!!! Let stay put with new talent it is just matter of time they transform in great winning talent.
Recommend
0
Sep 12, 2016 10:10am
There is a wicket keeper position, a captain, and vice captain position and the Pakistan cricket team has an additional position called the Akmal position.
Recommend
0
