Published: Aug 17, 2017, 10:02 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 17, 2017, 10:09 AM (IST)
Relations between Umar Akmal and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has gone completely sour. Umar recently hit out at head coach Mickey Athur and National Cricket Academy (NCA) staff, after he was not allowed access to the facilities. PCB in response to this outburst has issued a showcase to Umar late last evening. Umar has been rehabilitating a knee-injury in England, after he was flown back from ICC Champions Trophy citing fitness issue. According to Umar, Arthur asked coaching staff at NCA at Lahore not to allow him to train or practice at the facility post regaining full fitness.
In a press conference Umar said, “I had gone to England for rehabilitation of my knee injury. After I recovered, I went to the NCA to start working on my fitness and training. But the coaching staff doesn’t want to work with me at all. When I asked why all those international coaches didn’t want to work with me, they responded that they wanted to prioritise working with players who had central contracts. I said that I too am an international Pakistan cricketer, and if my fitness is lacking – and I admit that along the way my fitness has been found wanting – they should help me.” He further adds, “I then went to talk to the chief selector (Inzamam), but he referred me to Mickey Arthur. Arthur took me back to Inzi bhai’s room and started scolding me and using bad language in front of Inzi bhai, which I found demeaning and insulting.”
Update: PCB to issue showcause notice to Umar Akmal.
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) August 16, 2017
Arthur meanwhile was quick to deny such allegations by Umar. He said, . “Umar Akmal wanted to use Grant Flower’s services for batting. I told him he must first earn the right to go and play club cricket since he is not under PCB contract anymore.”
“I never stopped him from using the academy; told him not to use services of our support staff until he earns the right. Akmal cannot expect that the support staff, who are for contracted players, are at his beck and call. Nobody there should be taken for granted,” Arthur concluded.
