ISLAMABAD – Pakistani Headcoach Misbah ul Huq makes important statementabout batsman Umer Akmal after latest controversy.
Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq urged troubled batsman Umar Akmal todiscipline himself and focus on his cricket if he wants to revive hisderailed career.
Regarded as hugely talented, the 29-year-old Umar could face up to alifetime ban after he was charged for not reporting match fixing offers,which led to his suspension in February, Gulf Today has reported.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) charged him under their anti-corruptioncode. His 14-day deadline to reply ended on Tuesday. Misbah said Umar hasto decide his own fate.
“You and I can’t do anything,” Misbah told media. “Umar has to decidehimself, show discipline and focus on his cricket.
“He has to take a decision whether he wants to remain like this. He hasshown good performances but needs to improve his fitness, discipline andcommitment.”
Umar started his career with a bang, scoring a century on his debut in NewZealand in 2009, but frequent disciplinary problems cost him a place on thenational side.
He was also charged and arrested after a scuffle with a traffic warden in2014. Three years later he was sent back from England for being unfit.
Meanwhile, Misbah said that the International Cricket Council (ICC) shouldconsider extending the World Test Championships as the cricket calendar isfrozen due to the coronavirus pandemic. With countries around the worldgrappling with the fast spreading disease, cricket, like all other sports,has come to a standstill.
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“The tournament should be extended that is my view,” Misbah said in a videointeraction with the media.
“That is the only way we can find and end the event in a balanced way.Matches can be rescheduled if the event is extended.”
England’s two-match Test series in Sri Lanka was postponed as was the finalleg of Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan, which included a Test match inKarachi.
“I just think that all teams must get equal opportunities in thechampionship even if matches are rescheduled,” said the former Pakistancaptain.
“Whenever cricket resumes all teams should get equal opportunity in the ICCWorld Test Championship to try to play in the final. The tournament can beextended beyond 2021.”
Other major international series that have been postponed are SouthAfrica’s ODI tour of India and New Zealand’s three-match ODI series againstAustralia — of which the first match was played behind closed doors at theSydney Cricket Ground. The start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and theknockout games of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have also been postponed.
