Can Umar Akmal turn it around?

[babajee]

Just wondering what the general sentiment about Umar is these days. Does anyone think he can turn it around and have a future in the Pakistan team?

 

[InziRules]

No

 

[Railu Katta]

Nein No Nahin Non Nao

 

[coy0607]

he's really REALLY stinking it up in domestic

he may be able to turn it around, but he's certainly not on track.

 

[zain7077]

Not a chance. If he couldn't change from 2010 till 2017, why now?

 

[CadPakFan]

NO, why is everyone obsessed with Umar Akmal?

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

He's an Akmal, his selection is not dependent on his performance. Rather it directly correlates to how Pakistan are doing on the field, the minute Pakistan will start losing or might lose a few games a certain Sport channel will make a massive hue and cry on how 'Talunt' is being overlooked which is why we need to bring in him.

These same people went after Micky on a personal basis and spewed nonsense on how has disrespected the nation all so that junior could land a spot in the team. This is the reason why Akmals need to be rid of Pakistan cricket if we are to move forward. As long as they are here they will never let us live in peace.

 

[Bilal7]

He can be a good T20 player for us. I hope he isn't discarded permanently.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I reckon he will be back, all he needs is a good innings.

As long as the team lacks a hitter and Inzi remains a selector, Umar will be in contention.

Mickey hasnt even closed the door on him yet, and he admitted he wanted him in the side it was fitness that let umar down.

Meanwhile, Inzi has gone out of his way to say Umar isn't out completely.


I am mixed on it tbh

I want Umar to earn a comeback, a year of a good first class season for example. He used to average 50 there now its 43, disgraceful

 

[dravidthewall]

Umar akmal is talented and still young..he can come back insaallaha

 

[Boi]

I still have a little hope. If he is fit and motivated, there isn't a better option than him as opener in LOIs.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Honestly no, I don't think he is mentally strong to play for Pakistan. Also there are many other options that haven't been tried yet.

 

[Pete Rose]

There will be many recalls, but ultimately a failed career

 

[waleed88]

People with bigger odds have turned it around... Umar should too if he hit the ground running the right way.

Malik and Misbah are examples for him

 

[hafizexpress]

I still have a little hope. If he is fit and motivated, there isn't a better option than him as opener in LOIs.

Were you okay when you said this

 

[Hasan123]

If he's scoring runs at domestic level, he will be back.

 

[asadee]

Big NO

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Honestly,I don’t want this guy around anymore.I have wanted him and Shehzad out since the NZ match in the WT20 where they played match losing innings.

 

[UN talkz]

No
No
Never

 

[another drop catch]

Yes
but only in T20s

 

[Savak]

The team is in a good space. Both him and Shehzad are just not needed because others have stepped up and this is what was needed

 

[MMHS]

In T20 - definitely & immediately, as opener and may be WK (but don't know what to do with Sarfraz - he leads the side well, but doesn't make it as batsman or WK).

In ODI - not sure, may be as opener (but not as WK - over 100 overs work load, Sarfraz will do much better as WK, not for his keeping, rather being regular keeper, which has tuned his body better for the work load).

In Test - not now, not before at least 2 seasons of constant scoring to prove that he can build innings AND never as WK.

All this is after he passes Fitness Test on proper merit (not like the way Inzi sent him to CT or Sarfraz is passing FT as WK for 3 formats) and grow a little bit of brain cell to keep his tongue in check.


But, it can't be denied that the guy is capable of explosive innings - 86 out of 116 (114) as boundaries on such wickets demands well above average capability and the guy has lot, lot of that - he can't do worse than at least half the batsmen playing in T20/ODI team in current batting context, particularly as opener .......... if he is fit.

 

[ads101]

Yeah he can.

Just don't select him until he regains fitness. And not just barely passing fitness tests, properly fit like wc 2011 fitness.

 

[goran]

Only in T20s as an opener, but after proving his mettle at the domestic level for at least a year. He isn't good enough for other formats.

 

[Hasan123]

Tbh in t20s he isnt the worst opition. He could do a better job then Hafeez and Shehzad

 

[IMMY69]

Depends:-
If he can somehow change reality and come back as anyone other then an Akmal and then score prodigiously in first class.

 

[IMMY69]

There is the argument that we’ve done brilliantly without him so best to keep him out permenantly.

There are plenty of better batsmen in Pakistan and we really should be starting threads about changing our system so that deserving players are selected. So it’s about what you know and not who you know.

 

[Plumb]

Humble request to the media and followers of UA stop promoting garbage players like UA. Thanks

 

[proud_pakistani]

Forget about his talent. He isn't mentally ready to do anything. The crap he said against Mickey can not be forgiven. PCB must not let him come back based on disciplinary issues alone. Those pressure tactics will set a bad precedent and he must be overlooked for atleast 2. Needs to perform consistently at domestic for 2 years to even be considered and needs to maintain his discipline.

 

[Usman Chadda]

For people advocating Umar Akmal as an opener, has he even played at that position in any match recently? It's clear he is not comfortable with the thought seeing as how he wouldn't play as an opener even when he was captain. Also his technique is not good enough to face the brand new ball.

Umar Akmal chapter needs to be closed indefinitely till he has a breakthrough season. One century in a number of innings is not good enough to warrant a place in the national team.

 

[Cric1234]

For people advocating Umar Akmal as an opener, has he even played at that position in any match recently? It's clear he is not comfortable with the thought seeing as how he wouldn't play as an opener even when he was captain. Also his technique is not good enough to face the brand new ball.

Umar Akmal chapter needs to be closed indefinitely till he has a breakthrough season. One century in a number of innings is not good enough to warrant a place in the national team.

Came in early smashed 116 at over 100 strike rate on a green wicket potential is high as a top 4 batsman unfortunately he was never tried there despite mediocre performances from others in the past.

 

[MMHS]

Came in early smashed 116 at over 100 strike rate on a green wicket potential is high as a top 4 batsman unfortunately he was never tried there despite mediocre performances from others in the past.

He played as opener at U19 level few times and did well (surprisingly Amin was his partner that time).

I don’t think 3 of India’s best ever owners - Tendulkar, Ganguly & Sehwag opened in FC or List A level before opening for India. Similarly, I am almost certain that Sanath, Kalu, Mark W, Gilly, Astle, Mahela, Fleming, Lara and KP!! opened first time for National team. Even Dilshan, Kok, Amla, Guptil, Munro ... are not regular openers for their domestic sides. If Sharma & Dhawan not been there, I am sure Kohli would have opened - definitely in T20, may be even in ODI as well.

That’s what the game requires - your most attacking players should get the chance to play most balls - in T20 it’s not even an option or choice, it’s a demand.

 

[htariq25]

He has always had the talent and potential but he has kept letting himself down. If he works hard he has every chance of turning it around. I feel he has also been unlucky at times in the sense that he was also wasted down the order at number 6 when he is actually someone who should open imo. He has a good strike rate and if he can get fit I would back him to open with Fakhar to make a rather explosive opening combo. We trusted sharjeel even though he was a "hack" and he came off until he got banned so I feel we should also give a chance to umar at the top of the order. At the end of the day he is miles better than shehzad and I even prefer him to 90s openers imam and azhar. I'd rather we have openers that get 40 (30) than 100 (120), especially when babar is doing the job of getting hundreds rather well and we can't afford too many accumulators.

 

[waqar goraya]

Came in early smashed 116 at over 100 strike rate on a green wicket potential is high as a top 4 batsman unfortunately he was never tried there despite mediocre performances from others in the past.

No one can make him do what he himself does not want to. If he was played at opening position then people would have complained that it was a injustice to a middle order batsman. Umar only wanted to play at 4, neither at 3 nor at 6.

His performance had been pretty mediocre , his approach to the game very casual which was evident from his lack of fitness. In fact, he was very much part of the limited over cricket squad when he ruined himself by gaining kgs in weight and violating discipline.

His predicament situation is way beyond batting positions. The question is whether he is actually sincere to his cricket ? Forget about scoring runs consistently, perhaps you can also have clash of personalities at some stage but at the very least you are expected to maintain your minimum physical fitness standards to show some eagerness and professionalism to be part of national side. If you are earning millions but can't perform even to a very minimal level then you are liable to be fired.

 

[Cric1234]

He played as opener at U19 level few times and did well (surprisingly Amin was his partner that time).

I don’t think 3 of India’s best ever owners - Tendulkar, Ganguly & Sehwag opened in FC or List A level before opening for India. Similarly, I am almost certain that Sanath, Kalu, Mark W, Gilly, Astle, Mahela, Fleming, Lara and KP!! opened first time for National team. Even Dilshan, Kok, Amla, Guptil, Munro ... are not regular openers for their domestic sides. If Sharma & Dhawan not been there, I am sure Kohli would have opened - definitely in T20, may be even in ODI as well.

That’s what the game requires - your most attacking players should get the chance to play most balls - in T20 it’s not even an option or choice, it’s a demand.

In the first PSL he played all or most matches at no3 the performance was one of the best in domestic t20 tournaments.
In ODIs like you said batsmen who never opened before have been tried bold decisions can make a players career one thing is for sure you'll never know unless you try it out.