Akmal, who scored a century on his Test debut against New Zealand in 2009, received the first jolt of his career when he was dropped for the series against Sri Lanka after a poor performance in the format.
Pakistan interim coach Mohsin Khan, who headed the selection committee that axed Akmal, said the batsman’s Test performance did not justify his talent and added that he needed to play bigger innings.
“We’ve given him a clear message to go and play domestic cricket and learn to play big innings. Learn to turn your thirties and forties into hundreds for the team. Stop being selfish,” said Mohsin.
Akaml, who has scored 1,003 runs in 16 Tests, is mindful of the warning and said that he was using the ongoing Quaid-i-Azam Trophy to help him remove glitches.
“I’m fit for the longer version,” said Akmal. “I’m working hard so that I can remove the tag of being suitable only to the limited-overs format.
“Players like [Kevin] Pietersen, [Virender] Sehwag and Yuvraj [Singh] play according to their natural style and I do that too.
“But now I’m trying to change it and play according to the situation. I’m getting help from my coaches and Basit Ali and this will help me immensely.”
‘I’m not disappointed’
Akmal, however, said he was not disappointed on being snubbed from the Test squad. “I’m not disappointed. Every cricketer goes through this phase. I’m very lucky to have a chance to play domestic cricket and I’m taking it as an opportunity to improve.”
The batsman, who is leading SNGPL, has scored 165 and 95 in the first two matches.
Akmal shows desire to play the IPL
Meanwhile, the batsman expressed his desire to play in the Indian Premier League. “If I am invited and get the permission to play in the league then why not? It is a huge event and will give useful experience to me.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2011.
COMMENTS (12)
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Spoilt brat, he got what he deserved, a much needed rest. Just look at his age and not so many achievements yet he acts as if though he is a superstar who can get away with anything.
sigh....................i wonder how many long innings younis khan or more appropriately our very own misbah ul haq has played............this guy is a young kid...........will become a better player with time..........but still he plays better then most of the players in team...........taufeeq umer.........i am seeing him on team for years...........never able to make a mark.........same goes for hafeez..............check the record after so many years...........atleast i have seen this child always struggling and fighting when there is little hope left...............
Ahmed Juneid you are very much right...he is following Basit Ali...he was also brilliant in the beginning of his career then he started playing at his own will with an essence of politics ultimately resulting...career finished untimely and he also lost form...same is the case with Umer akmal...similarly Saqlain is the other example.....
Easy to say but hard to do! But i know that u can do it my bro bcoz u have the talent and i have the faith on Almighty Allaha that he will help u in shining that talent and all i can say that keep working hard and get the price and i hope will see u soon in d team Inshalkaha.
Pakistan cricketers are most talented, but they only show their talent when they dont get money from mat fixers. Kamran is the big culprit in pakistan cricket today, he evn fixed matches in 2011 world cup, so I request PCB to never bring him back as he is evn spoiling the career of his younger brother. Only SHOAIB AKHTAR and IMRAN KHAN were the most clean players that pakistan ever had, bcoz they love their nation and played for their country and for their fans instead of money.
As long as Kamran Akmal is playing as long as Umar wont forget that Kamran Akmal is his brother he cant play well.
He should NOT change his natural style. We need more postive players.
He just needs to be a little wiser with shot selection.
Asad Shafiq was a disaster at the Sri Lankan test becuase of lack of postivity.
Dear Umar, Please stop fixing matches with your elder brother then you can start thinking about your playing style. Love, Zoni
He has brought in the names of two past-their-prime Indian players almost indicating that they are good enough for comparison. This is not going to be liked by Pakistani fans, I can tell you that !
We have seen over the years that players who get into scheming and playing politics within the team have faded away.Umer now has a chance to work hard on his game otherwise he will be written off very easily.
hope he doesn't forget his words he said... need him to come up more best than he is right now