Pakistan cricket has witnessed many exciting talents who weren’t properly groomed to perform at the international stage.
One such natural talent was Umar Akmal, but unfortunately he didn’t utilise his talent to prove himself a world-class batsman.
He had represented Pakistan in the 2008 ICC under-19 World Cup. Based on his performances there, he had earnt his place in first-class cricket. His talent made it to the big screen when he smashed a double century in just the sixth first-class match.
He followed that up by smashing a century in his debut Test match against New Zealand, but no-one could have ever imagined this would be his last Test century.
In the early days of his career experts would compare him with Virat Kohli. Both had played in the ICC under-19 World Cup in 2008. Kohli made his debut in 2008, just a year before Akmal made his debut, but now Kohli is the captain of his team with 70 centuries and almost 22,000 international runs. Akmal has just three centuries to his name.
(AP Photo/A.M. Ahad, File)
Only Akmal is responsible for this. He didn’t make the game his first priority. Kohli also dealt with some disciplinary issues, but he changed himself so that his game wasn’t affected. Akmal had no such transformation: he remained in controversy due to his bad behaviour and a ruthless attitude that badly affected his career.
His latest controversy led him to the three-year ban, which may end his career. The Pakistan Cricket Board found him guilty of two breaches of the anti-corruption code corresponding to him not reporting some fixing approaches ahead of the 2020 Pakistan Super League.
His first controversy came in 2010 when he reported a fake broken finger to show solidarity with brother Kamran Akmal, who was dropped from the Australia tour. In 2011 he was issued a show-cause notice for giving unauthorised interviews to television media.
Many of his controversies didn’t involve corruption charges but rather simple disciplinary issues. He was also fined for ignoring umpires while going for a change of gloves in a T20 match against Sri Lanka. In 2015 he was left out of England T20s for bringing PCB into disrepute after reportedly attending a party without permission.
He has made several comebacks, but his discipline and attitude have always intervened in his career. He made an ODI comeback in 2016 and was left out of the England tour on disciplinary grounds. He was also withdrawn from the Champions Trophy squad for failing a fitness test.
He was involved in a dispute against former coach Mickey Arthur that led to a ban. And just before the present fixing issue he was reprimanded for inappropriate behaviour at a fitness test.
All these controversies prove that the PCB has never been strict enough in its actions against players. They have brought back Mohammad Amir, who faced jail and five-year ban, and now some reports are claiming Sharjeel Khan could make a comeback in the national team.
If the PCB had taken some strict actions against fixers, Umar Akmal might not have gone down the path that’s led him to this bleak point in his career.
It was Umar Akmal who put himself above the game and wasted his exceptional talent. He has represented Pakistan in 16 Tests, 121 ODIs and 84 T20s in an almost 12-year career. This might be the end of his career, but it’s not the end he deserved when he made that brilliant debut all those years ago.
Suraj
Roar Rookie
You've rightly pointed out that the responsibility lies between both the players and the Board officials. Mismanagement from the Board's side coupled with ignorance from the Players part is what leading to this unfortunate fate of these players. The same goes for the West Indies Team as well.
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't think you can compare Symonds to Akmal, Muhammad. Symonds had an ongoing feud with Harbijan Singh which culminated in Symonds accusing Singh of racism, through some comments he allegedly made. Symonds thought he had the backing of the Cricket Australia, but as soon as India threatened to pull out of the tour to Australia, CA backed down. Symods rightly felt they'd acted in a cowardly manner and didn't have his back, which is when the form fell away and the antics started. Prior to that, he'd been fine, whereas Akmal, base don your piece, has made it something of a habit to get in trouble over the course of his career.
Muhammad Nouman
Roar Pro
I am not suggesting a 3-year ban nor any ban but he was getting back to back chances in the national team despite his poor behavior which is a controversial thing. That’s what I am saying which Australia did with Symonds. Also, I have mentioned the comeback of Amir which enhances the confidence of young players that they will get back in the team after the ban is over.
Paul
Roar Guru
Each incident, while serious, didn't warrant more than the penalties imposed, so suggesting 3 years out of the game because he was repeatedly a naughty boy is a step too far IMO. Even Warner, Smith and co copped way less than you're suggesting for issues that in Australia were seen as super serious. I'll guarantee if he received this type of ban for any of the other infractions, the entire Pakistan team would have stopped playing. The precedent that would have set would have caused huge problems internally.
Muhammad Nouman
Roar Pro
yeah, he had a good New Zealand tour.
Muhammad Nouman
Roar Pro
"Strict in its actions" in the sense that he should have got this ban earlier. He had just fined or dropped from the team and nothing more than that and that's why he made several comebacks in the team. And in my opinion, discipline comes first no doubt how good a player can be.
Muhammad Nouman
Roar Pro
Yeah, he could have achieved more.
Targa
Roar Rookie
I watched him score that century vs NZ from the banks of the university oval. He almost took Pakistan to victory before Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori ran through the middle order and tail. Umar Akmal looked like a truly class player.
Paul
Roar Guru
"All these controversies prove that the PCB has never been strict enough in its actions against players. " I'm not sure how you can come to this conclusion from reading this article? You've outlined the penalties he received for the issues that he caused and to my eye, they all appear reasonable. The only thing the PCB might have tried was to give Akmal a minder, but they may have done so and Akmal still screwed up. This guy has made his choices and he's now got the rest of his life to think about whether the decisions he made were good ones. Yes it's a sad waste of an exceptional talent ( I remember watching him in Australia in 2009/10 and thought he looked the goods), but no doubt he's not the first or last sportsman to poorly use his abilities. Another good story, Muhammad. Thanks for submitting it.
JGK
Roar Guru
Yeah a real shame to see guys not achieve what they could have. Darren Bravo is another.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
Good read. It seems the end for hm.