Umar Akmal: “International cricket has always been my top priority. I gave up major leagues to serve Pakistan. But today, I regret those decisions because I never imagined I’d be treated like this”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Veteran batsman Umar Akmal has admitted that he regrets not choosing T20 leagues over representing Pakistan.
He noted that he has always prioritised playing for his country, but has never been given a chance since October 2019.
Having been overlooked by the selectors time and time again, Akmal is eager to feature in different T20 leagues around the world, but has constantly been denied No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has really angered him.
“International cricket has always been my top priority. I gave up major leagues to serve Pakistan. But today, I regret those decisions because I never imagined I’d be treated like this. I don’t understand the reason behind it, nor do I know who in the PCB thinks I shouldn’t be playing cricket,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
The 35-year-old did not take part in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL), which was won by the Lahore Qalandars.
He also missed Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Bangladesh in Lahore, the T20I tour of Bangladesh, and the limited overs tour of the West Indies.
Next up for the men in green will be a T20I tri-series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan in Sharjah, which will be held from August 29 to September 7.
Following this, Pakistan will take part in the 2025 Asia Cup, which will be played in the UAE from September 9 to 28.
Pakistan squad for UAE T20I tri-series and 2025 Asia Cup: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem
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