Umar Akmal should be ashamed, says Waqar Younis

Before the start of ICC Champions Trophy 2017, Pakistan had to suffer a major blow. Wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal was ruled out from the roster by head coach Mickey Arthur on the grounds of fitness. Akmal failed to clear two consecutive fitness tests in two days and Haris Sohail was called to the squad as a replacement for the former.

The 27-year-old was declared fit in Pakistan after the gave the fitness test in-front of selector Inzamam-ul-Haq. But Arthur was not satisfied with the reports. For him, fitness holds great importance and he ordered Akmal to undergo another test once they landed in England, this time without the supervision of Inzamam.

Waqar is agitated at Umar’s casual approach towards fitness. He feels that the batsman should be thoroughly ashamed and should try to gain the expected level of his fitness.

“He should be thoroughly ashamed that Arthur and the coaching staff have had to send him back to Pakistan. Umar should look in the mirror and tell himself, ‘In future I will sort this out’. Will he do it? I’m not sure that he will, as there have been many incidents involving him throughout his career. That is why the talent has not blossomed. He has not done justice to himself,” said a raging Waqar.

The wicketkeeper made himself synonymous to controversy as during Waqar’s tenure as the head coach, he had to be left out of the team because of disciplinary problems. “I guess he’s happy with what he’s doing but if this was me, I would feel ashamed,” said Younis.

He then turned his attention towards the officials who reportedly helped Akmal, without taking any particular name. “I think the PCB, the coaches and the selectors have been very kind to Umar as they keep giving him the opportunities because everyone wants to see him succeed and do well at the international level,” the former Pakistan pacer added.

Umar Akmal apologised to the fans

Akmal is apologetic for his approach and accepted that he had hurt his fans. “I apologise to all the fans who have been hurt by my conduct. I still have a lot of cricket left in me and I aim to be back stronger than ever. I am even more focused on cricket now,” said Akmal while talking to ESPNcricinfo.

He considers legendary batsman Younis Khan as his idol, and said that he is determined to stage a comeback. Akmal concluded saying, “My role model is Younis bhai (elder brother), and even when he faced difficulties, he became even more determined. I am now determined to come back more than ever.”