Aaqib urges Umar to show patience

Pakistan’s explosive middle-order batsman Umar Akmal has been urged by Aaqib Javed to curb his attacking ways.

LEEDS: Pakistan’s explosive middle-order batsman Umar Akmal has been urged by the team’s assistant coach Aaqib Javed to curb his attacking ways as Pakistan look to hit back in the second and final Test against Australia.

Umar, who scored 129 and 75 on Test debut in New Zealand, has failed to reach 50 in his last seven innings, averages over 40 in Test cricket and has formed the backbone of Pakistan’s middle-order in the absence of Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan.

“Umar is one of the best talent we’ve unearthed in the last ten years,” Aaqib told The Express Tribune. “He’s always positive but with time he needs to learn how important his wicket is. He’s an attacking batsman so we tried to keep a lot of responsibility off his shoulders but now with the absence of experience, he needs to build his innings.”

First-class debuts seldom come sweeter than Umar’s - becoming the second-highest scorer in a title-winning debut season with Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, his ascent was sharp and enviable. His 855 first-class runs included a 258 and 186, aged 17.

“He had a terrific start to his career but he’s still learning. His personality has improved and he’s matured. The good thing about him is that he learns from his mistakes. He’s got talent, charisma and a penchant for scoring runs. He can reach the heights that he wants, being the fearless individual that he is.”

For that, Aaqib warned, Umar will need to be more careful with his shot selection and not throw his wicket away. Umar could only manage five and 22 at Lord’s, being dismissed three balls before lunch in Pakistan’s second innings at a time when his presence at the crease was what his team needed.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2010.