Pakistan vs Australia: Mickey Arthur praises comeback man Umar Akmal's 'attitude'

Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has praised Umar Akmal’s attitude since the latter returned to the team for the ongoing ODI series against Australia in UAE. Akmal, known for his off-field antics, had lost his place in the team a couple of years ago after he was involved in a public spat with Arthur. The right-handed batsman had sensationally called-up a press conference in 2017 before accusing the coach of using abusive language towards him, demanding an investigative committee be set up to probe the matter.

A miffed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had then come down hard on Akmal. The board had formed a disciplinary committee to investigate the matter before punishing the batsman. He was banned for three games and was asked to pay a hefty fine of PKR 1 million. In addition, the PCB had also revoked all No-Objection Certificates issued to him for participating in overseas tournaments for two months.

As a result, Umar Akmal had to spend more than a year out of Pakistan team before a fine show in the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) handed him a much-needed lifeline. Playing for the Quetta Gladiators, he scored 277 runs at an average of 34.62. With Akmal in fine form, Pakistan selectors named him in the squad for the Australia series, thus giving him an opportunity to bolster his claims for a World Cup spot.

In the two games so far, the 28-year-old has scored 48 and 16. And while only time will tell whether he manages to cement his place in the team or not, Mickey Arthur seems to be impressed with his attitude at the moment.

“He has done very well since he has been in this environment. He knows what the standards of this environment are and what is required of him to secure a berth [in the side] going forward. I can’t fault his attitude and the way he has returned.,” Arthur said ahead of the third ODI against Australia.

Needs to work on fitness

Arthur, however, made it clear that Umar Akmal needs to improve his fitness in order to be considered for the World Cup selection. “He has to do work a bit more work on his fitness like the other new players that have come in. To be eligible to go to the World Cup, he needs to pass the fitness test that we have in Lahore on April 14,” Arthur further added.

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