Inzamam-ul-Haq justifies inclusion of Umar Akmal in the team

Attacking batsman Umar Akmal made a comeback after 5 long months to the national side when he was named in the squad for the 3-match T20I series against West Indies in the UAE. Akmal has been dropped from the national side ahead of the England tour on the grounds of disciplinary issues. Akmal was very pleased to be back in the team and said he would want to stage an ODI comeback as well.

Justifying his inclusion in the national set-up, the Chief Selector of Pakistan Inzamam-ul-Haq said that Akmal was back in the team purely because of his spectacular performances in the national domestic T20 championships. He affirmed that he spoke to Umar Akmal and was happy with the form that he is in.

“He is back in the team because he is in good form and has shown this in the national event. I have spoken to him and he is keen to prove to everyone that he wants to become a permanent part of the Pakistan team in other formats of the game,” quoted Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Along with Umar Akmal, the other two players who were ignored from the national side before the England tour were Shahid Afridi and Ahmed Shehzad. Inzamam clarified that they have not been ignored due to any past issues but the selections have been made solely on the current form of players. He said that the duo will be considered for selection once they are back in form.

“It is not that the door is closed on them. When we are satisfied that they meet the standards of fitness and form, they will be considered for selection,” said Inzamam on the exclusion of Ahmed Shehzad and Shahid Afridi.

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Speaking on the omission of uncapped player Amad Butt from the side, Inzamam said the youngster needed some more time in domestic cricket. He was picked up for the solitary T20 against England but was benched. Inzamam said that the captain and the coach believed that he should be given some more domestic practice. “But he is an exciting new talent for the future,” he added.

Umar Akmal has been in scintillating form in the domestic T20 cup and recently hit a 48-ball 115 for the Lahore Whites. He emphasised that he would want to have a controversy-free career now. “I want to have a controversy-free career now because staying out for five months from the national side were very tough and hard for me. It made me realise a lot of things,” quoted Umar Akmal.

He further said that he would want to make a comeback in the ODIs too after putting up a good show in the T20s. “I know I can also contribute a lot in the 50 over format as I enjoy the challenge of the longer format of the game,” he added further.