PCB inquiry: I had permission to attend party, says Umar Akmal
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Pakistan’s middle-order batsman Umar Akmal on Monday responded to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) show-cause notice after he was dropped for the T20 squad for his alleged involvement in “unethical activities” during a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match in Hyderabad.
“I attended a dinner party after being granted official permission by [SNGPL’s] team manager,” said Umar in his response to the board.
A press statement by the PCB released on Thursday stated that the 25-year-old has 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 on Thursday.
“He is suspended and was not included in the team before we make a decision. Basically our players are not educated, most of them are school drop outs, so this becomes a problem and we will address that as well.”
Talking to Dawn, a PCB spokesperson said: “Investigation into the incident has been started. Inquiry will focus on the various aspects of incident and facts regarding his participatory role and ascertain the nature and magnitude of violation of central contract obligations. He has already been suspended. PCB will take final decision on the basis of the inquiry report.”
Earlier, Umar Akmal addressed reporters in Lahore, saying media claims regarding the matter were ‘baseless’. “I am not answerable to anyone apart from the department I am playing for,” said Umar.
Umar also expressed his wish to play for Pakistan once again. “Cricket is my love and I want to represent Pakistan for a longer period of time,” said the hard-hitting batsman.
Umar, who hails from Lahore, thanked T20 skipper Shahid Afridi for supporting him. “I am thankful to Shahid Afridi for backing me in this situation and considering me an important part of the team,” said Umar.
Pakistan play England in a three-match T20 series in the UAE from Nov 26.
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On DawnNews
Nov 16, 2015 02:33pm
He is a good player indeed!
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Nov 16, 2015 02:39pm
bring back him in the cricket team.
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Nov 16, 2015 02:42pm
PCB has asked you out too. Better out You good obey er.
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Nov 16, 2015 02:46pm
What did he do that was that bad
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Nov 16, 2015 02:49pm
What is the problem here. Petty things and nothing else.
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Nov 16, 2015 02:54pm
Who cares,
he should sit out for a while
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Nov 16, 2015 02:56pm
@Baba USA apparently . . . his didnt dance as well as expected from an international cricketer
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Nov 16, 2015 03:00pm
A good dancer :)
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Nov 16, 2015 03:05pm
And did that manager had authority to give permission to attend an event, which is prohibited by PCB ?
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Nov 16, 2015 03:16pm
Shahid Afridi should also be dropped on supporting a player whose track record indicates he is not a disciplined person and has remained involved in activities that sets bad example to the other players.
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Nov 16, 2015 03:23pm
Party boy; caught not only once. go history of him
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Nov 16, 2015 03:41pm
He should be disciplined and not included in the team. This will teach him and other players like him a lesson. PCB should also educate their players so that they don't get into such mess.
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Nov 16, 2015 03:42pm
@Shahid Ali I second that. He always supports bad cricketers like Umar ukmal and Ahmed Shahzad
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Nov 16, 2015 03:44pm
school dropouts...no wonder they cannot speak proper english...i feel sorry educated ppl think these players are hero when they dont deserve it..atleast finish high school n learn proper english
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Nov 16, 2015 03:48pm
He should be permanently out from the cricket, he is representing Pakistan, a person
with such a behavior should not be in the team and Shahid Afridi should also be out
from the team for supporting such kind of disgrace Cricketers, if PCB do not take action then soon we will find all the cricketers doing disgraceful things which would harm the reputation of Pakistan Worldwide.
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Nov 16, 2015 03:49pm
He seems to love attending parties. Is that a crime?
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Nov 16, 2015 03:50pm
Umer Akmal is a good player, he should follow steps of good likable players & not of some considered wild in the past. He is young and has lot of cricket in him only if he so desire. Shahid Afridi's help will not always be there for him.
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Nov 16, 2015 04:02pm
PCB should realize that imposing more regulation on cricketers will contribute less development for the Pakistan cricket. So, they shouldn't do anything immaturely to a player's individual affairs as well.
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Nov 16, 2015 04:03pm
@natey : What is the link b/w speaking proper English and playing Cricket. Ronaldo, Messi and many international Football Players cant speak English but world recognize them because of their skill. What Umer Akmal has done is totally wrong but it has nothing to do with speaking English.
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Nov 16, 2015 04:15pm
@natey It is not language that matters.The person who knows to speak English think He knows every thing. In cricket Bat does the talking. Never under estimate any one on language issue.
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Nov 16, 2015 04:57pm
This is a case between a player and PCB; whatever the situation may be it should be addressed behind closed doors and the final decision be put out by PCB. It should be done like a trial in public. In Pakistan, PCB, for many years has resorted to 'thug' like actions. An organization like PCB should be more gentlemen like considering that it has the PM as one its main patrons..I'll hold back my opinion about your PM as this forum is for cricket.
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Nov 16, 2015 05:08pm
Who is shahid Afridi giving opinion on the player breaching the code of conduct? Isn't he violating the limit himself?
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Nov 16, 2015 05:32pm
What happened! Nobody is saying any thing, why is it sooooooooooooo secret. In the last ODI Pakistan lost because the only batsman the whole team depends on got out on a duck. Need more dependable batman, why not give Shazad another chance.
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Nov 16, 2015 05:43pm
what happened at the party?
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Nov 16, 2015 05:49pm
Drama continues, I see him back in the team very soon!!!
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Nov 16, 2015 06:00pm
@natey speaking or understanding English is no criteria for sport selection. There are many other renowned sports personalities (footballers in particular) who cannot speak or understand English. The issue here is lack of discipline.
I'm not certain what he did exactly but if he has broken a code of conduct outlined by the parent cricketing authority, then he needs to pay the price. Taking permission from a domestic team's manager does not supersede the governing principals of the parent authority, i.e. the PCB.
#BringAmirBack
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Nov 16, 2015 06:11pm
Why does PCB not arrange some short courses for the contracted players where they at least should be taught some communication skills among other things. Whenever a player is interviewed, they all have same words to say to each and every question asked. Same funny way and same meaningless words repeated like a parrot.
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Nov 16, 2015 06:16pm
For God sake they are young boys, don't expect them to behave like a 60 year old man. Let them have a life beyond cricket too but ofcourse withing limits of decncy. And why dicipline these kids when the PCB high ups party themselves.
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Nov 16, 2015 06:23pm
What a pity that PCB could not put some sense into this player. Immature and streetish he needs to clean up his act
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Nov 16, 2015 06:52pm
@Natey, English is not required to be cultured. We have our own languages to express all we want. Ever heard any englishman promoting Punjabi or German for that matter??
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Nov 16, 2015 06:55pm
What was so "unethical" about his activities????
Why such a secret about it.
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Nov 16, 2015 07:02pm
@natey English is not everything. Why everyone has to speak English? You need to come out of slave mentality bro. Everyone has right to speak whatever language they can communicate easily. In USA, millions of people from central America cannot communicate in English.
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Nov 16, 2015 07:14pm
Truth must come out , if Umer was at party heavens won't fall , but his choices are very questionable, he elders must guide him please
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Nov 16, 2015 07:23pm
“He is suspended and was not included in the team before we make a decision. Basically our players are not educated, most of them are school drop outs, so this becomes a problem and we will address that as well.”
This was completely unnecessary. Granted that UA can have behavioural issues, this is not how you project them. I have now got some sympathy for this lad because it seems there is a specific campaign against him via some people in PCB, who want him out and put substandard players of their choice. Many have come and gone while we trialled. We need to persevere and be a bit more patient with our talent.
Virat kohli started at the same time as him and look where he is today. There is some element of his talent, but an even bigger part was played by his board in getting him where he is today. Learn a thing or two from your competitors PCB and you will get somewhere.
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Nov 16, 2015 07:28pm
@natey Judging from the grammatical mistakes in your post, it appears as if you also did not finish high school!
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Nov 16, 2015 07:46pm
I fail to understand link between English language and education. An English speaking person can be uneducated and a non-english speaking person can be educated.
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Nov 16, 2015 07:54pm
PCB should not deal the players as Big Brother.
Personal life of a player is same as personal life of anyone else - their employer (PCB) cannot intervene in their private life
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Nov 16, 2015 09:03pm
... you damn care the permission.
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Nov 16, 2015 09:57pm
@waqas You are correct. And also there is a small correction in your sentence @Natey. It should be 'heroes' not 'hero' as you typed.
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Nov 16, 2015 11:26pm
Why are we so judgmental about each other? None of these people, making comments, know the real story, but they are all giving their final decisions about the career of a professional player.
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Nov 17, 2015 02:58am
So he attended a party? So what?
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Nov 17, 2015 03:15am
The left no energy to take sharp singles and run out easily.
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Nov 17, 2015 04:33am
What a serious joke?
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Nov 17, 2015 05:15am
I have never been a fan of Umar Akmal but I don't understand what is his fault. What is unethical? Board has to have a specific reason before suspending anyone.
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Nov 17, 2015 08:40am
@natey I wanted to comment on your comments but many ppl have already written what I had in mind,,,,,,,, so I only second them....Language is a mode of expression not a show of ure accent n mastery ovr it.....we should b proud of being Pakistani n our national language....let pcb decide what Ummar did....
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Nov 17, 2015 08:52am
@natey I wanted to comment on your comments but many ppl have already said what was in my mind.....I second them with some additions....Language is a mode of expression not a show of accent or mastery over it...we should be proud of our country and its language......let pcb decide for the best interest of pakistan n cricket
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Nov 17, 2015 10:48am
Sports and discipline goes side by side. Unfortunately people who are managing and playing sports had very poor record when comes to discipline. Afridi, Coach Basit Ali and player Omar Akmal had bad reputation for discipline. If compromise in team discipline they will bring more bad name to their sport and country.
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Nov 17, 2015 11:00am
Extremely talented sportsmen with attitude problem is common. They are naturally gifted but with a twist. They exist in almost all team and individual sports. It is the duty of sports administration and management to recognise the talent and manage their weaknesses.
Besides, this particular incident can be very easily resolved without everyone talking to the press/media. It does not help to resolve, rather aggravates the situation.
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Nov 17, 2015 12:39pm
Afridi supported Umar Akmal.Anowar ali better then Afridi.
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Nov 17, 2015 12:44pm
Good
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Nov 17, 2015 02:00pm
Players from modest back grounds regardless whether educated or not, do not involve themselves in such activities. One should know good moral values, good ethics, positive attitude and good behavior.
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Nov 17, 2015 04:01pm
May be he had the permission for the "dinner", but I am sure no one on earth new about the "party"
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Nov 17, 2015 04:02pm
It is not the same level of justice for the big and powerful against young and easy. If Moin's attending gambling casino during official trip to Brisbane as Manager of the team can be condoned, why not Umar Akmal's visit to a private party ?
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Nov 17, 2015 06:23pm
Baba, apparently, he misbehaved Rachel Khan who had claimed that she slapped Umar Akmal when he tried to harass her during an event in Oslo, Norway. He should be given stiff punishment to set example for others who get away.
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Nov 17, 2015 06:59pm
When you read the word Akmal you just know its going to be a bad story. Keep them out and Afridi as well for promoting goondaism. Otherwise these guys on foreign tours will just make an absolute fool of themselves.
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Nov 17, 2015 10:27pm
So who is lying. Umar Akmal or the team committee.
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Nov 18, 2015 12:09am
oh come on let the man play his cricket, keep your morality to yourself, we dont need morality police in cricket
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Nov 18, 2015 01:26am
Can anybody elaborate on his unethical activities?
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Nov 18, 2015 01:45am
@manzoor elahee .............. on what basis he should be brought back ?. requesting one logical reason for his return ........... most of us are happy to see him out of team. we lose he is playing so better lose without him and build a team of future where players should respect the pride of country.
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Nov 18, 2015 04:41am
@Baba USA its fake
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Nov 18, 2015 04:44am
@anony this story. that's obvious and i dont even know who this person is.
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Nov 18, 2015 04:22pm
"High school dropouts"
Excuse me......quite a derogatory remark. What can you expect from PCB!
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