After the wicket-keeping fiasco prior to the Zimbabwe tour, Umar Akmal recently met with acting PCB Chariman, Najam Sethi to discuss a variety of issues troubling the Pakistani batsmen.

by Saj Sadiq (26th August 2013)

Umar Akmal recently made a successful return to International cricket in the ODI and T20 series against West Indies. Ignored by the selectors for the Pakistan ODI squad that took part in the final edition of the Champion’s trophy, Umar demonstrated his talent and utility in the West Indies to the Pakistan team as he ended up as the 2nd highest run-getter in ODIs scoring 175 runs in 5 innings. In the T20 format, Umar Akmal lead the batting averages for Pakistan with 55 runs in 2 innings with a remarkable average of 55.

Whilst it appeared that Umar’s career had resumed its natural course with his excellent performance in the tour of West Indies, his hopes were dealt a cruel blow when it came to light that he was unfit for selection for the tour of Zimbabwe.

The Pakistan Cricket Board declared Akmal "medically not fit" after he felt unwell on a flight to Jamaica during the Caribbean Premier League and replaced him with the wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed. However Akmal has been and still is, adamant that he is fit for selection and should have been included in the squad for Zimbabwe.

In the meanwhile, the young batsman decided to take his case to the highest level and met the acting Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board Najam Sethi on Saturday to discuss a variety of issues "troubling" the Pakistani batsman.

Sources close to 23 year old Akmal said that the meeting with Sethi went well and was a very open and fruitful one. The acting Chairman congratulated Umar on his recent performances for Pakistan in the Caribbean and hoped that he would repeat such performances in future when he returns to the national side. 

Umar was also provided with an opportunity to present some of his grievances to the acting Chairman and spoke with Sethi about his omission from the limited overs squad currently touring Zimbabwe. The acting Chairman suggested to Akmal that he would be wise to have all necessary tests carried out before returning to cricket, rather than rushing back to cricket without being examined thoroughly by medical staff.
The PCB, understandably concerned about Akmal's health, has therefore decided to engage a neurologist for detailed advice and PakPassion.net understands that Akmal will travel to Karachi next week for further tests. 

However, sources close to Akmal have rejected the idea that the batsman is suffering from any serious medical illness and have told PakPassion.net that "Umar has been absolutely fine since returning from the Caribbean, he's been practising as normal and there have been no signs at all of him being unwell. He will go ahead with the further medical examinations in Karachi and will comply with any requests from the PCB, but remains disappointed that he is not in Zimbabwe with the Pakistan squad."

Even though public interest has generally centred around his recent health issues, Akmal was also rumoured to have moved domestic teams as reports suggested that he had signed for National Bank of Pakistan, but PakPassion.net understands that he intends to play for SNGPL team in the domestic circuit and has no plans to move to another team for the time being.

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