Umar Akmal: “Waqar Younis did a lot of damage to my career. If I bought a car or wore good clothes, that was a problem for him. I respect him as a senior player, but not as a coach”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has lashed out at former head coach Waqar Younis, accusing him of doing a lot of damage to his career.
Waqar Younis: “I don’t understand how they can say I ruined their careers. No one can end someone else’s career. You become your own enemy when your mind leaves cricket and you stop working hard”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis has rejected accusations from batsmen Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad that he ruined their careers.
Umar Akmal: “Our batter at the top, whom we call King Babar, needs to score big. A lot of responsibility has been fallen on him”
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Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal has admitted that batsman Babar Azam “needs to score big” as there is significant responsibility on his shoulders.
Umar Akmal on Babar Azam: “I distinctly remember when he was having difficulties with spinners, getting out around midwicket. He came to me and said, ‘Umar bhai, I’m having a bit of trouble'”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has revealed Babar Azam asked him for help batting against spinners.
Umar Akmal: “I’m willing to say it on camera – there are players who seriously damaged Pakistan’s image and were punished for it, yet they are now key members of the national team”
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Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal revealed there are key players in the national team right now who “seriously damaged Pakistan’s image and were punished for it”.
Umar Akmal: “After the dismissal, Amir celebrated by pointing towards the dressing room, which seemed to signal a planned move. It was as if he was telling the coaching staff, ‘The tiger is still alive'”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal feels left-arm pace bowler Mohammad Amir has sent a message that “the tiger is still alive” following his strong performance in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL).
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”
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Veteran batsman Umar Akmal has admitted that he regrets not choosing T20 leagues over representing Pakistan.
Umar Akmal: “Even as captain, if Rizwan underperforms in one or two series, it will become very difficult for him moving forward”
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Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal thinks ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan could be dropped from the team if he fails to perform.
Umar Akmal: “I keep saying that I want to play and I am being asked if I appeared in trials. Wahab Riaz asked me ‘Have you played trial matches?’ I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ I told him that I am available”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal revealed he got angry at Wahab Riaz after the former left-arm seamer asked him if he had played any trial matches when he wanted to make a comeback to the national team.
Umar Akmal: “If he had kept some authority similar to Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan, he would have still been the captain, and there would not have been these quarrels on the captaincy”
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Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal believes Sarfaraz Ahmed was removed as captain since he didn’t have the same authority as Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan.
