Umar Akmal says incorrect reports cause distress to his family. PHOTO: FILE AFP/FILE
Akmal, who had been handed the additional charge of keeping the wickets on Pakistan’s recent tour to West Indies, had stayed on in the Caribbean after the tour ended to play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
While away, Akmal had been included in the national squad that will face Zimbabwe in the upcoming tour. But it was subsequently reported that Akmal had pulled out due to a back strain. Keeping this in view, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had announced that wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed would replace Akmal on the tour.
“Umar is out of the Zimbabwe tour after suffering a back strain in the CPL,” a senior Pakistan Cricket Board official told The Express Tribune. “The doctors have advised him to rest a few weeks and the team management will now be sending Sarfaraz Ahmed as his replacement.
On Tuesday morning, the wicketkeeper-batsman shocked media persons gathered at Lahore Airport by claiming that he was fit and that the media had incorrectly reported on his health.
“I am fit, and I have brought my medical reports with me and will talk to the PCB chairman tomorrow [Tuesday].”
Akmal added that such reports caused distress to his family and that he will hold a press conference on Tuesday to explain his side of the story.
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Sarfraz is send in place of much talented Umar Akmal who was held back after playing the drama of his injury. Sarfraz batting avg in tests is less than 10 and he is an average wicketkeeper. The only reason he is in team is because he belongs to Karachi (all selectors belongs to Karachi too). There are many other craps from Karachi like Faisal Iqbal also in the team too.
I am not sure what's going on with his fitness, but to say the least, he is one of the best batsmen in the team. He is an asset and needs to be playing. And I don't understand why he wasn't picked for the test team.
Ali khan
Why is there non-stop drama surrounding the Akmal family?
@Hammad:
I think you are right. He did this drama once in Aus too. (not playing becuase his brother was dropped, claiming that he has back pain). He simply did this, as wanted Kamran akmal to get another chance. But when selectors choose sarfarz instead, he is now claiming that he is fit.
@Geeto, even if quota system is being introduced, removing the best batsman you have is ridicoulous
He always does this trick to bring his brothers in the side.
@Karachite. Sarfraz Ahmed is from KHI and so are Anwar Ali, Khurram Manzoor, Faisal Iqbal, Shan Masood etc @Umar. He is not out of team because of Misbah or Hafeez. He is out because of all in one - Moin Khan who is silently but swiftly trying to introfuce quota system in team selections.
@Omar: Is Sarfraz Ahmed from Karachi?
Misbah and Hafeez don't want him in the team. He was dropped for no reason from Champions Trophy. Now he had a wonderful series in WI they could not drop so they played this game. The selected another parchi player Sarfraz Ahmed after Faisal Iqbal in place of him.