Umar Akmal claims Mickey Arthur verbally abused him

Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal is more in news these days due to his off field antics. The right handed batsman who hasn’t been offered a central contract by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lashed at head coach Mickey Arthur. Akmal has alleged that Arthur verbally abused him. He added that the South African abused him in the presence of chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq. He also claimed that the coach is similarly abusive towards other players.

He claimed his innocence and said none of the senior players tried to stop the coach when he was being vilified. Umar said Arthur was rude to him and asked to play club level cricket instead of coming to the Academy. The right-handed batsman further said that he wasn’t given any warning before being dropped from the team. He was clearly unhappy about the behaviour of the coaching staff and warned that he would inform PCB about their behaviour.

Mickey Arthur rubbished the allegations

Arthur denied the allegations levied at him and said that Akmal wasn’t telling the truth. He rather stated that he had asked Umar to work on his attitude and fitness.

Earlier the 27-year-old was sent home and replaced by Haris Sohail in the Champions Trophy squad when he failed two consecutive fitness tests in 2 months.

He was dropped from the West Indies tour for the same reason as he was the only player in the squad to fail the fitness test held at the NCA in March. In the annual fitness assessment held this year, Lahore-born cricketer’s fat level reading was found excessive as well.

This is not the first time he has been involved in a controversy, Umar needs to stay away from controversy and work on his fitness if he wants to resurrect his career.