Umar Akmal Shares Disheartening Reply from Wahab Riaz

Veteran Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has come forth regarding his attempts at a comeback to the national side, exposing the depressing reaction he got from previous chief selector Wahab Riaz upon expressing his availability.

Akmal revealed in a recent interview with a private TV channel how an unexpected question greeted his attempts to get back to the team.

“I kept saying I want to play, and I was asked if I had appeared in trials,” Akmal recalled. “Wahab Riaz enquired, ‘Have you played trial matches?’ I could have said, “What are you talking about?” I told him I’m free.

Last playing for Pakistan in 2019 during a home series against Sri Lanka, the 34-year-old expressed his dismay at being asked to participate in trial matches despite his considerable experience. For Pakistan, Akmal has amassed 16 Tests, 121 ODIs, and 84 T20s.

The wicketkeeper also brought back his prior criticism of former Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis, citing an event wherein Waqar neglected to commend an incident whereby he scored a century in a Test match.

Instead he said, “You’ve started playing T20 cricket in Tests.” Akmal also remembered a caustic remark Waqar made following his dismissal in the second innings: “Where’s your T20 cricket now?”

The right-handed hitter said that these comments demoralised him and affected his confidence as a young player of cricket.

It is crucial to note that Umar Akmal has amassed 1,003 Test runs in 16 games, 3,194 run in 121 ODIs and 1,690 runs in 84 T20Is.

Having already represented Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators from 2016 to 2023, he is not part of any franchise side in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Akmal has 1,029 runs in 43 PSL games at an average of 30.26, with a strike rate of 144.31 and eight fifties.

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