Umar Akmal escapes PCB ban for his misconduct during fitness test

Controversial Pakistani wicket-keeper batsman, Umar Akmal had come under the scanner after misbehaving with a trainer at Pakistan’s National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore. It was expected that the Pakistan Cricket Board would take some strict action against Akmal for his alleged misconduct however, the PCB officials have decided against it.

Ahead of the home series against Bangladesh, all the Pakistani players reported to the NCA to undergo a fitness test. Even the players taking part in the Pakistan Super League were present in the academy when Akmal reportedly stripped his clothes and asked the trainer to find body fat during the player’s body fat test.

The trainer soon reported to Pakistan’s head coach-cum-selector, Misbah-ul-Haq who asked PCB to hold an inquiry for the same. Almost one month after the incident, PCB released the following statement on Saturday (15th February).

“Umar Akmal has offered his regrets for his actions and the PCB has reprimanded him and also reminded him about his responsibilities as a senior cricketer. The matter is now closed and the PCB and Umar Akmal will offer no further comments,” issued PCB as quoted by IndiaToday.

The statement mentions that Akmal has regretted over his actions while the board tried to remind him that he was a senior cricketer as well as a role model for the upcoming players. Such type of behaviour from him is not expected hence, he received a warning and the case was shut.

PCB announced this decision after listening to both the parties involved in this dispute. The case was closed with the conclusion that the aforementioned controversy happened solely because of some miscommunication between Akmal and the trainer.

Umar Akmal gears up to return to Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad

Although he has been away from the national team lately, Umar Akmal feels that he can make a return to international cricket soon. Looking at the recent returns of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik, Akmal is positive about his future and a good performance in the upcoming Pakistan Super League season will help him in strengthening his case to make it to the T20 World Cup squad of Pakistan.

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