‘Resurrected’ Umar Akmal wants to forget the past, focus on future

Batsman Umar Akmal has said that he wants to forget the past and concentrate on the future after his international career was thrown a lifeline under the new setup of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Akmal, 29, was named in the list of probable players for the upcoming Sri Lanka series — much to the cricketer’s relief.

“I am not thinking about the past. I want to forget whatever has happened. My concentration is solely on the upcoming matches,” Akmal, who was once a regular fixture of the national team but was axed due to fitness, form and disciplinary issues, is quoted as saying by Daily Jang.

He hailed the new PCB coaching staff, saying that “it has good people,” and also thanked God that “my name was picked in the list of probable players.”

READ: 'Changed man' Umar Akmal vows to not disappoint if given another chance to rep Pakistan

Regarded as one of the least fit players to ever play for Pakistan, Akmal has been strategically propagating his improved fitness over the past few months by posting his workout videos on social media. He again stressed that he has been working “really hard” on his fitness.

If picked in the final squad, it would be the second comeback of 2019 for Akmal. He was also recalled for the pre-World Cup home series against Australia, following his impressive showings in Quetta Gladiators’ triumphant Pakistan Super League 2019 campaign.

However, he failed to justify the selectors’ faith, scoring a paltry 150 runs in the five-match series at an average of 30 runs per innings.

In addition to his lacklustre form, Akmal had also reportedly committed disciplinary violations by breaking the team curfew timing.

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