Umar Akmal Faces Ban From PCB After Exposing Himself During Fitness Test

Out-of-favour Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has landed in hot water once again for reportedly misbehaving with staff during a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The right-handed batsman has fallen down the pecking order and is unlikely to earn a recall any time soon from the senior Pakistan team.

He last played for Pakistan in October during the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka at home. Umar Akmal had earned a surprise recall for the series and had failed to justify it. In the two games that he played, he was out for duck on both the occasions as Sri Lanka whitewashed the hosts.

And things are only going to become worse for Umar Akmal as far as his chances of making it to the Pakistan team are concerned thanks to his latest antics. According to ESPNCricinfo, the junior Akmal exposed himself in frustration during one fitness test. He is now in danger of being kicked out of the next domestic tournament.

Akmal’s elder brother Kamran is also expected to land in trouble after both brothers failed their fitness tests by significant margins. Salman Butt, too, could be in trouble with the authorities, after he stormed out of a fitness test when his request to have it rescheduled was denied.

Troubles during fitness test is nothing new for Umar. On the eve of the 2017 Champions Trophy, he was sent home after a failed fitness test. Kamran does not have a good reputation with fitness either. And with head coach Misbah-ul-Haq prioritising fitness, one cannot see both the brothers earning recall until and unless they work on their fitness.

The report further claimed that Umar’s behavior fell short of the mark during the skin-fold test, when he exposed himself completely in front of the trainer and is said to have asked him “Where is the fat?” According to Kamran, Umar did it in mischief and said it was simply a “misunderstanding”.

Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed it was fully aware of the matter, and looking at potential punishments in the context of bringing the game into disrepute. Umar Akmal could potentially be axed from the upcoming domestic one-day cup.

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