Speaking with PakPassion.net, a disheartened and frustrated Umar Akmal stated that he was disappointed with Basit Ali’s comments and added that his intentions have always been to focus on all three formats of cricket, rather than just one day internationals and Twenty20 internationals.

By Saj Sadiq (16th November 2012)

Still only 22, Umar Akmal has already notched up 126 international appearances. With 26 half centuries and 2 centuries under his belt, one would expect that Umar would be an established member of the Pakistani cricket team and have the cricketing world at his feet. However as is quite often the case with young Pakistani cricketers, he hasn’t quite won over fans and media alike just yet, despite his occasional shows of brilliance since his debut for Pakistan in August 2009.

Former Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan after dropping him from the Test side criticised Akmal’s approach to the longer format of cricket and questioned his ability to play long innings stating “We don’t just want wonderful 20s and 30s from Umar Akmal in Test cricket, rather we want him to stay at the crease for long periods. If you score 15 or 20 runs and you are out to a good delivery, then that is tough luck, that is part of cricket, but once settled at the crease Umar should not throw his wicket away once he has done the hard part and established himself at the crease and laid the foundations for a big innings.”

Akmal has a touch of genius about him, a superb stroke player on his day, he has the ability to both amaze and frustrate. He last played Test cricket in September 2011, although he has been a regular pick for Pakistan in the shorter formats. To add to Akmal’s woes, he has now fallen out of favour with his domestic team SNGPL and was left on the sidelines for their ongoing President’s Trophy match against PIA. As well as suffering the ignominy of being dropped by SNGPL, his coach, former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali came out with some stinging words for Akmal and suggested that Umar needed to learn how to bat in the longer-format of the game and that he wasn't in good touch and was asked to play club cricket.

Speaking with PakPassion.net, a disheartened and frustrated Akmal stated that he was disappointed with Basit Ali’s comments and added that his intentions have always been to focus on all three formats of cricket, rather than just one day internationals and Twenty20 internationals. 

“My aim has always been to play for Pakistan in all three formats and to be successful in all three formats. To label me as a cricketer who cannot play long innings is totally unfair. I’ve already faced over 100 deliveries in a Test innings on four occasions and I have full faith in my ability to play long innings. Test cricket is the toughest format of cricket and that is the format that I want to especially excel in” stated Akmal.

Basit Ali’s comments suggesting Akmal should try his hand at club cricket have particularly irked Akmal and he feels that playing club cricket instead of first class cricket would not have achieved anything and would in turn have been counter-productive.

“I don’t understand the comment from Basit (Ali) regarding going and playing club cricket. What would that exactly have achieved? If I had made runs in club cricket, my critics would have said that he’s making runs but it’s only in club cricket. On the other hand my critics are saying that I need to play long innings, well where can I do that, in first class cricket of course, which I am currently being deprived of. If I’m not being given a chance in domestic cricket, then where am I supposed to play these long innings and prepare myself for a return to Test cricket? I’m desperate for a return to Test cricket and the only way I can achieve that will be through playing first class cricket in Pakistan and impressing the selection committee. It’s really frustrating, I want to play, I’ve made myself available whenever I could, yet I’m not picked” added Akmal.

Akmal also disagrees with Basit Ali’s remarks about his current form and he feels that whilst not being in the form of his life, he is more than happy with the way he has batted recently.

“I went to the Hong Kong Sixes and performed very well there and batted consistently. I’ve only played one President’s Trophy match this season and made 40 and 48 respectively. I also performed reasonably well at the World T20 in Sri Lanka, so I’m not really too sure how well thought out the comments about my lack of form are. I wouldn’t say I am in peak form but I feel that in recent times, I have performed well in whatever format I have been asked to play in.”

Akmal also felt that he needed to clarify the situation regarding his missing some of the President’s Trophy matches this season, as it was being suggested in the media that he had deliberately opted out of playing in some matches for SNGPL.

“Let me categorically state that the matches I have missed were known beforehand to the team management. I went to Hong Kong to play in the Sixes as I was selected for that tournament. In addition it was my brother Adnan’s wedding from 6th to 8th November and I had already asked the management for leave ahead of the wedding. I was given leave of absence for the wedding preparations, so the question of me missing matches deliberately does not even come into it. There have been valid reasons why I have missed games and it’s extremely unfair to point the finger at me for missing matches on purpose.”

Akmal’s future at SNGPL remains unclear after this latest episode. Despite reiterating his availability for SNGPL, he stated that he would weigh up his options regarding his future at the end of the season.

“I have made myself available whenever I could for SNGPL, I have had 5 good years here, but this episode has left a bitter taste in my mouth. I feel I have been treated unfairly in this instance but I am available for the team whenever they need me. However I will sit down at the end of the season and look at what my options are and which teams are interested.”

Akmal feels that perhaps some personal issues have got in the way of cricket and that could be the reason why he has been “targeted” by Basit Ali.

“I feel that there has to be a personal issue here regarding my treatment and personal matters should not get in the way of cricket. At first I was liked by Basit Ali, he was very supportive and helped me, but I’ve noticed a change in his behaviour towards me of late. If I’ve made a mistake then tell me what I have done wrong, but don’t mistreat a young cricketer who just wants to do his best for his domestic team and for his country. There are very important series coming up to India and South Africa and I want to put this behind me, start playing first class cricket again and be mentally ready for the challenges in India and South Africa.”

Akmal feels that his style of batting will always give others an opportunity to criticise him, but he’s confident that going forward he can win over most of his critics by performing on a consistent basis in all formats.

“Runs and lots of them is the only way that I can get people off my back. I know that whatever I do, however many runs I make there will always be people out there who will take cheap shots at me. I would suggest to those people to get off my back, instead support me, give me a chance. People tend to forget that I am only 22, don’t try to ruin my career before it has got off the ground. I will make mistakes, all young cricketers do, but I know I can be an integral part of the Pakistani batting line up in all three formats if given the chance, but I need backing and I need support and I know I will deliver.”

SNGPL’s next match is against Habib Bank at Islamabad commencing on 20th November and it remains to be seen if Akmal and Basit Ali can patch up their differences and Akmal is given another opportunity in four day cricket.

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