32-year-old Umar Akmal criticized Micky Arthur and Waqar Younis, the former coaches of the Pakistan national team, alleging the duo for ruining his career at international level.
Akmal was one of Pakistan’s promising prospects when he had first burst onto the international scene in late 2009. Brother of wicket-keeper Kamran, Umar registered a century on his Test debut on the New Zealand tour and featured in four T20 World Cups and two ODI World Cups thereafter.
However, he endured a sudden downfall and was a part of numerous controversies in the late 2010s, which brought about his downfall. Now 32, he last played an international game in October 2019.
The Akmal brothers’ tense relationship with former national coach Mickey Arthur is well documented. Following his resignation in 2019, Arthur, who was at the helm during Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy triumph, had opened up on his troubled relationship with the Akmals, while also slamming Umar for his fitness issues.
Akmal opened up the chapter, and stated that the “personal issues” between him and the coach, hindered his international career.
“Mickey Arthur had personal issues with me but the team management at that time did not raise a voice for me and they have been silent till today. However, Mickey Arthur later did admit that he used harsh words on me. I am among those rare cricketers of Pakistan who have been ignored at every turn,”
Akmal was quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
Akmal also targeted Waqar Younis, the former coach, who he alleged to have not given him a fair run in the top-order during the 2016 T20 World Cup in India, despite the insistence of the 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan.
“I asked Imran Khan to recommend team management to send me at number three. Imran Khan himself asked Waqar Younis why I was not a part of the top-order. Waqar Younis was a legendary fast bowler but I could not understand him as a head coach.”
