Umar Akmal
Umar Akmal (Image Credits: Getty)

Pakistan Cricket Team’s senior wicket-keeper batter Umar Malik who has been around the team for a decade is still fighting for his place in the team. The 32-year-old wicket-keeper who is known for whacking the bowler all around the park has been missing from the setup since 2019.

It looks like the selectors have moved on from him as the selection panel has named Mohammad Harris as the wicket-keeper batter.

The case of Umar Akmal has been quite puzzling as PCB has neglected him and at the same time, Umar has been involved in fixing and breaching the anti-corruption code. Under the chairmanship of Ramiz Raja, it looks unlikely that he would be given a chance as the likes of Mohammad Aamir too have also been ignored.

Umar Akmal
Umar Akmal. Image-Sky Sports.

Umar Akmal on Making a Return to Pakistan Cricket Team

Umar Akmal was seen interacting with Pak. tv and was asked about making a return.

“I am hopeful of making a comeback. If I get enough support from people and senior players, I will be back on the national side. The question of fitness not being up to the mark arises when a batter’s running between the wickets is not good or if he isn’t able to field for all the overs,” he said

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They should see ground fitness. You can confirm this with my coach. I have kept wickets for all overs and have been running the singles and doubles well too,” he added.

Umar Akmal
Umar Akmal. Image-Twitter.

If I am not meeting the required fitness standards, call me to the Pakistan Cricket Academy and give me an opportunity to work with the trainers. If they don’t want to call me to the academy, then at least a trainer could provide me with a plan I would hire a personal trainer for myself then and work accordingly,” said the wicket-keeper batter.

Three weeks are enough to improve a player’s fitness. My ground fitness is fine, but they have told me that my body isn’t how they want it to be,” Umar Akmal further maintained.

Watch: Umar Akmal interacts with Pak.tv

Middle Order Crisis Continue for Pakistan

The Men in Green need to pull a rabbit out of a hat to tackle their middle-order problems. The team can’t just be dependent on Babar & Rizwan to pull off 200-run chases every time.

Earlier Pakistan had Malik & Hafeez who used to provide stability in the middle order; filling their shoes won’t be easy but PCB needs to find reliant batters.

Saqlain Mushtaq & Babar Azam
Saqlain Mushtaq and Babar Azam. Pic Credits= Twitter

Head Coach Saqlain Mushtaq and captain Babar Azam would be tempted to make a change at the top of the order like Babar stepping to the No.3 position which would provide stability to the middle order. They can try Shan Masood at the top of the order as we all have seen in PSL how destructive he can be on a given day.

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