I still remember those wonderful days in 2009 when Umar Akmal took apart the world's best bowlers, first in Lanka and NZ, announcing himself as the most destructive young talent in the game.

Four years on and Umar has not improved - and in fact has gotten worse. This is an unacceptable state of affairs given that, pound for pound, Umar is the most naturally gifted young batsman on the planet (watch his fifty against Mitchell Johnson in 2010 if you don't believe me - the audacity, courage and belief against fast bowlers is present in the rarest of cricketers).

So what is the solution? To my mind a season in the England county game would be a start. Not just on the field, but off the field - learning how to fend for himself in an alien country.

End of the day, if Umar Akmal doesn't become the best player in the world given his majestic talent, it is as much a failing of Pakistan cricket, Pakistani fans and Pakistan as it is of the player himself.

Discuss!