Former Pakistan fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed has stated that Umar Akmal should not be allowed to make his comeback and play for Pakistan again. Akmal was suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for two breached of the anti-corruption code. He allegedly met a bookie twice and failed to report both the approaches to the PCB.
Akmal was charged after PCB conducted an internal inquiry in the matter. The right-handed batsman was also barred from playing the Pakistan Super League (PSL) where he was part of the Quetta Gladiators franchise. Umar was Akmal was handed the suspension ahead of Gladiators’ opening game of the season.
“When he [Umar Akmal] is not performing and keeps coming back to the side, it seems to me that his contacts are the only reason. What are the chairman of the PCB and other officials doing in this regard? Why is no one asking selectors why he keeps coming back despite all his controversies,” Tanvir said in a YouTube video as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
“PCB chairmen keep changing but Umar Akmal keeps coming back. Nobody is asking why he keeps coming back after so many chances. I can guarantee that if he gets banned for six months, he will be back as soon as his ban is over. Umar Akmal should not be allowed to come back into the side under any circumstances,” he added.
Akmal has been involved in several controversies in his career so far and his inconsistent performances have ensured he is out of the reckoning from the Pakistan national side. He was handed a return by head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq in the T20I series against Sri Lanka at home but Akmal failed to cash in on the opportunities as he was dismissed on ducks twice in first two games before being dropped from the third T20I. Sri Lanka clean-swept Pakistan 3-0 in the T20I series at home.
