Umar Akmal: “I want to forget whatever has happened in the past, whether it is good or bad. I’ll play this series just like it’s my debut”

Image courtesy of: Pakistan Super League

Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal is extremely excited for the upcoming ODI series against Australia later this month as he believes it offers him a fresh start.

Akmal last represented Pakistan in January 2017 and has been in the spotlight for disciplinary reasons since then.

In one incident, Akmal claimed that Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur verbally abused him and banned him from training at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

However, with the 28-year-old having regained his spot in the ODI squad through his excellent performance in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he has scored 277 runs in 11 games for the Quetta Gladiators at an average of 34.62, he is now aiming to cement his spot in the side.

“I want to forget whatever has happened in the past, whether it is good or bad. I’ll play this series just like it’s my debut. I request the fans to back me and the team,” he told Dawn.

Australia will be coming into the series, which begins on March 22 in Sharjah, on a high as they recently beat India 3-2 in a five-match ODI series.

“Australia are high on confidence after the series win against India but our boys will be carrying their PSL form and they will be feeling confident. The fans will get to see good cricket,” Akmal said.