In a rare outburst against the captain, coach and selectors, Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman Umar Akmal threatened to burn his cricket kit or hit himself with the bat just to attract the attention of the people concerned before the Pakistan Asia Cup squad is selected.
“Should I burn my kit bag or hit myself with a bat? Perhaps the only time I will come under reckoning is courtesy a miracle,” said an emotional Akmal to reporters in the National Stadium in Karachi.
Akmal has been out of the Pakistan limited-overs set-up for about 16 months with his last ODI being against West Indies in April last year. Seeing very little chance of making it to Pakistan’s Asia Cup squad, the senior Akmal targeted Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed and head coach Mickey Arthur for bias in team selection.
“These days, only the coach and captain decide who plays in the side,” he said. “It seems that the chief selector does not have major say in such decisions although the decision should be unanimously taken by all three.”
Akmal, who has represented Pakistan in 53 Tests, 158 ODIs and 58 T20Is, said he doesn’t know what else is needed to get back into side other than scoring runs and maintaining fitness.
“My fitness and performance are there for everyone to see,” he said. “I don’t think my cricket playing days are over yet.”
Akmal scored two centuries in his last four list A games including a match-winning 170 representing Federals. The 36-year-old veteran was amongst the top run-scorers in the last edition of Pakistan Super League but continues to be ignored by the selectors.
“If I am going to raise voice for my rights, a notice will be served in response,” he lamented.
Akmal will be representing WAPDA in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy this season.