Umar Akmal: “I am not saying I have 10-15 years left in me, I have 4-5 years and I want to play for Pakistan”

Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani

Senior Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal is eager to make his international comeback, saying he still has four to five years left.

Akmal last played international cricket in October 2019, but had remained active in domestic cricket, with his last match coming in February 2024.

Once considered a batting prodigy, the 35-year-old was unable to live up to the hype and saw his career slow down over time.

Despite this, he has not given up on returning to the international arena and playing for his country once again.

“I want to play for Pakistan. I am not saying I have 10-15 years left in me, I have 4-5 years and I want to play for Pakistan,” he was quoted as saying on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Pakistan’s form has been dismal as of late as they crashed out in the group stage of the 2025 Champions Trophy after failing to win a single game.

They then travelled to New Zealand and were pummelled 4-1 in the T20I series before being whitewashed 3-0 in the ODIs.

Following this, many of the national players featured in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL), which the Lahore Qalandars won.

Pakistan’s next assignment will be a three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, which will take place 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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