Umar Akmal is yet to fit into selectors’ scheme of things
karachi — Senior Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has been over- looked by the national selectors and head coach Mickey Arthur in the list of probables finalised to attend the training camp for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
According to reliable sources, the selection of two more senior players, Muhammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad in the Test squad is also unlikely.
“The selectors, Arthur and the PCB Director of Cricket, Haroon Rasheed recently held a meeting to finalise list of players who will be invited for the training camp for the Sri Lanka series.
“Unfortunately the selectors and Arthur still feel that Umar needs more time to convince them that he is ready for a national comeback,” a source said.
“Umar Akmal failed several fitness
Umar Akmal failed several fitness tests, what do you want us to do? Mickey Arthur
tests, what do you want us to do?” Arthur said. “I would have thought if you’ve failed one or two (fitness tests) you would never put yourself in that position again. Well he’s had several opportunities and hasn’t passed one so that’s up to him.”
Umar was initially picked in the Champions Trophy squad but later sent back home from England after failing a fitness test.
Even in April before the tour to the West Indies, the enigmatic batsman was not picked after failing a fitness test. His fitness and attitude have been a reason of concern for the PCB, selectors and team management.
Umar is presently in England training and undergoing a rehabilitation course to not only improve his fitness but also to overcome a knee problem.
The camp which will be set up from August 20 in Lahore is likely to also witness Hafeez and Shehzad restricted to only the ODI and T20 formats as the selectors and the head coach want to give another chance to left-handed opener Shaan Masood in the Tests.
Masood was dropped after the first Test in the West Indies in April.
The PCB dropped plans to have a boot camp in Kakul after around a dozen players including members of the Champions Trophy winning squad signed up to play in the Caribbean Premier League this month. —