Published: Apr 27, 2016, 05:24 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 27, 2016, 05:24 PM (IST)
Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal was cleared of charges in a case of suspected brawl in a theater. The Pakistan Cricket Board found no concrete evidence against Akmal, who along with Bilawal Bhatti, Awais Zia and Shahid Yousuf were reportedly involved in a scuffle. Rumors suggested that Akmal and the other three players created a scene after their demand for a replay for a song was rejected. While there was CCTV evidence of Akmal’s demand, no concrete evidence of a brawl or scuffle in or outside the theater was found, which led to PCB clearing charges on him. ALSO READ: Umar Akmal, Bilawal Bhatti among others being probed by PCB over involvement in brawl
Umar Akmal is no stranger to controversy. Earlier in 2016, he was banned for one match, having been found to breach the code of conduct in the final of Quaid-e-Azam. In 2014, he was also in news after a fight with traffic warden in Lahore, for which he was arrested.
He was a part of the Pakistan side in T20 World Cup 2016, where they failed to get past the group stages. Akmal was engulfed in another controversy during the tournament, after he reportedly complained to Imran Khan regarding his the batting position given to him by then head coach, Waqar Younis. He ended the tournament with just 78 runs from 4 innings, failing to guide his side into the semi-finals.
The recent controversy, added to his past problems may just put his place in danger. Akmal, who is only considered for T20’s, will reportedly be dropped from the upcoming one-off T20 match against England.
