Former Pakistan pacer feels the team no longer needs Umar Akmal

Umar Akmal has always been in the news for reasons other than his performance on the field. Quite recently, he was axed from the Champions Trophy squad after failing his fitness tests twice. This wasn’t the first time that Akmal had been excluded for a similar reason. Earlier this year in April, he was dropped from the team for the West Indies tour.

Quite recently, he was omitted from the list of players awarded the central contract for the year starting from July 2017. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ensured in a statement that the contracts were handed over after keeping in mind the performances, fitness, and disciplinary behaviour of the players. His recurrent fitness failures didn’t do any good to Umar.

No longer ‘fits’ into the setup

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammed Zahid in his blog made a special mention for the senior Akmal’s case in the national squad and as to why he no longer fits into the current scheme of things. He mentioned how his early departure from the Pakistani setup worked wonders for the team.

“Let me say that whatever happens, usually happens for the best and in that way whilst Umar Akmal’s early departure from the tournament was worrying at that time, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it allowed other players to step-up and be counted,” Zahid wrote in his column for PakPassion.net.

“I am sure he will continue to play cricket in the future but given some of the current talent we have on display, I find it difficult to see why there is a need for him in the team in the future. The back-up talent we have in Pakistan at the moment is immense and it will continue to come-up. We have given Umar enough chances so maybe it’s time to move on and look elsewhere for match-winners. I feel that Umar Akmal is no longer needed by Pakistan,” he further mentioned