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.
Umar Akmal: “Yes, he’s going through a tough phase, but he’s still Pakistan’s best batsman. Remember, he led the team with pride for five years. Form comes and goes, but class stays forever”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Veteran cricketer Umar Akmal believes Babar Azam is still “Pakistan’s best batsman” despite not having posted a lot of big scores over the past few months.
Umar Akmal: “Just like [the] PCB removed him as national captain, he should also step down as Zalmi skipper. He needs to bat freely, enjoy his cricket and play without pressure”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has advised Babar Azam to step down as captain of the Peshawar Zalmi so that he can “enjoy his cricket and play without pressure”.
Umar Akmal: “If he plays naturally, the runs will come – and with them, the confidence and his place in the T20I squad”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Senior Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal doesn’t think Babar Azam is done in T20Is as he believes the star batsman can regain his spot in the team.
Umar Akmal: “He should ask for two months’ rest – no cricket, just training and time with family. When he returns, he’ll be refreshed and back in form”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has suggested that Babar Azam take a break from playing cricket for two months.
Umar Akmal: “We are told that we are too old to play or even mentor the team. But players who are 45 years old are still playing. What are we supposed to do? Shoot ourselves?”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has claimed that he, Ahmed Shehzad and Sohaib Maqsood were “told that we are too old to play or even mentor” in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Umar Akmal on Waqar Younis: “He would ask me, ‘Why are you wearing these glasses? Why these shoes?’ Instead of focusing on my cricket, he was more interested in such things”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has called out legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis for picking on him during his tenure as head coach.
Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal: “I have all the proof I needed to show [that I have tried to contact the PCB chairman]. I have tried calling the chairman’s manager and people around him requesting to meet him”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Veteran batsman Umar Akmal has claimed that he has “all the proof” needed to show that he has been trying to contact Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, but can’t meet with him.
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.
