Akmal matter needs to be resolved in a calm and amicable manner: Umar Gul

The World XI’s scheduled tour of Pakistan is an excellent news for fast bowler Umar Gul. He feels the millions of fans will be all excited for the return of major international cricketing action back in the country. What also pleases him is the big names featuring in the World XI team. The Independence Cup will be played in September with all the matches hosted by the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

September 12, 13 and 15 will be remembered as historic dates in Pakistan cricket as this is expected to be a message for the world and cricket teams around the world that the country is safe to host international cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the two chairmen Shahryar Khan and Najam Sethi put in all the effort it needed to make this day possible.

“This is fantastic news for the followers of cricket in Pakistan. It’s great to hear that the top players from world cricket will be visiting Pakistan and I hope and pray that all goes well on this tour. One must thank the PCB and its Chairman for turning an idea into reality,” Gul said in an exclusive interview with PakPashion.

“I feel that a successful tour by the World XI will serve as an important first step towards a full resumption of international cricket in Pakistan. The Sri Lanka and West Indies teams will also hopefully visit Pakistan after they see how well the World XI tour of Pakistan goes, especially in terms of the overall security situation,” he added.

Pakistan cricket has never been deprived of the controversies and they have always had strained relationship with a certain bunch of players. If it was the likes of Shoaib Akhtar in the previous era, it is the likes of Umar Akmal who have been in constant scuffle with the board in recent past. Recently the batsman accused national team head coach Mickey Arthur of abusing him, which prompted the PCB to issue a show cause notice, and scrap his claims.

Players should not be stopped from training at the NCA

Gul feels no matter what happened the situation could’ve been handled in a better way.

“Firstly, I feel that the only people who can clearly tell us what really happened are the witnesses such as Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed who were present when the incident took place at the NCA. Regardless of what was said, I feel that Pakistan players should not be stopped from training at the National Cricket Academy as the purpose of the academy is to allow national players to practice there,” he said.

“Whilst I do understand that contracted players are given some preference so that they can iron out issues in their techniques, I do not think that there has ever been a case where a Pakistan player has been stopped from using NCA facilities. Regardless of what exactly happened there, what needs to happen now is that this matter needs to be resolved in a calm and amicable manner by the PCB and an understanding needs to be reached between the Head Coach and the player,” the bowler who has represented Pakistan in 230 international matches further added.