Kamran Akmal: “the captain and coach at that time didn’t utilise him properly. He was such a talented player that his style of play exposed others, as not everyone could play like him”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal said not everyone could play like his brother Umar Akmal, who he feels was not utilised properly.
Umar was once seen as the next big thing in Pakistan cricket, but failed to live up to what was expected of him.
Even though Kamran firmly believes that his younger brother “was such a talented player”, he admitted the 34-year-old was also at fault in regards to his career slowing down.
“Umar Akmal’s issues always seem to be highlighted more, but if people saw what today’s players are doing, they would be shocked. I see everything. I’m not saying Umar was completely innocent; he was at fault in some ways too. However, the captain and coach at that time didn’t utilise him properly. He was such a talented player that his style of play exposed others, as not everyone could play like him,” Kamran was quoted as saying by TOK Sports on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Umar hasn’t played for Pakistan since October 2019, meaning he wasn’t involved in the 2025 Champions Trophy or the recent limited overs tour of New Zealand.
Additionally, the Lahore native wasn’t picked by any team for the ongoing 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Once PSL 10 concludes on May 25, Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series, which will be played in Lahore from May 28 to June 1.
Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper) and Saim Ayub
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