Time for Umar Akmal to be given a second chance in Test Cricket

[Savak]

This guy was extremely hard done by in 2011 when he was dropped from the test side altogether that also after a freak dismissal against Zimbabwe. For 6 long years, he never ever got a look in again in test cricket even though there were times when Asad Shafiq's form was extremely poor and i cannot fathom how the likes of Shan Masood kept on getting selected ahead of him.

Our test batting line up is just far too one dimensional, there is space for an attacking player and it is time to give Umar Akmal some responsibility in test cricket. This way his batting in the shorter formats of the game will improve. I hope Mickey Arthur, Sarfaraz and Inzi select him and back him.

 

[Rayyman]

First and foremost, he needs to work on his fitness and temperament.

 

[Savak]

First and foremost, he needs to work on his fitness and temperament.

Sure but the guy was made to sit out for 6 long years from the test squad. I believe he should be recalled now.

 

[Rayyman]

Sure but the guy was made to sit out for 6 long years from the test squad. I believe he should be recalled now.

You can make the case that he shouldn't have been dropped; But he hasn't helped his own case by becoming overweight.

 

[Golden arm]

This guy was extremely hard done by in 2011 when he was dropped from the test side altogether that also after a freak dismissal against Zimbabwe. For 6 long years, he never ever got a look in again in test cricket even though there were times when Asad Shafiq's form was extremely poor and i cannot fathom how the likes of Shan Masood kept on getting selected ahead of him.

Our test batting line up is just far too one dimensional, there is space for an attacking player and it is time to give Umar Akmal some responsibility in test cricket. This way his batting in the shorter formats of the game will improve. I hope Mickey Arthur, Sarfaraz and Inzi select him and back him.

Umar akmal and
Haris Sohail

Best available contenders for the slots

 

[Savak]

You can make the case that he shouldn't have been dropped; But he hasn't helped his own case by becoming overweight.

Was watching his recent clips in the Domestic ODI cup, he has lost weight, the message delivered to him was good.

 

[ExplicitAI]

Much rather go for Haris Sohail since he's a lefty, more consistent and can bowl some overs.

 

[Savak]

Much rather go for Haris Sohail since he's a lefty, more consistent and can bowl some overs.

No issues with Harris, but must play one full season of domestic cricket atleast, just came back from Knee injury.

 

[Pak_lover6]

What has he exactly done to merit a test comeback ?

 

[coy0607]

Umar Akmal has done absolutely nothing in the last year to even deserve a place in T20 or ODI team, let alone in the Test team

There are numerous domestic players who have been pilling on the runs that deserve a chance much more so than Umar on merit

 

[Savak]

What has he exactly done to merit a test comeback ?

Most senior player around in the abscence of Younis and Misbah.

 

[Da_Future_Knick]

He doesn't have the temperament to play ODI and you expect him to play test?

He will be drained by day 3. Absolute disgraceful fitness level

 

[Junaids]

If you can do it against Shane Bond and Mitchell Johnson, that's good enough for me!

 

[Pak_lover6]

Most senior player around in the abscence of Younis and Misbah.

Then Kamran should be there as well. Also Faisal Iqbal desrves a comeback.

 

[Pak_lover6]

If you can do it against Shane Bond and Mitchell Johnson, that's good enough for me!

Performances given 8 years ago hardly matter. That was young , energetic and confident Umer Akmal. After 8 years he has regressed a lot.

 

[dauntless]

Yeah he should get his chance now but he needs to improve his fitness in this one dimensional batting lineup someone like him is needed the most!

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

If He is hungry for Test Cricket than He should even withdraw himself from Odi Cricket during FC season and play all the matches for his region or department, score atleast 3 FC tons in a season and average 55 plus in the season. Than on these performances he should be given recall.

Furthermore no discipline breach. No attitude issues reported by team management and should reduce 10kg weight atleast.


No direct entry into Test squad merely on basis of previous experience, ability etc. Earn it.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Not at all, Haris and Fawad deserve their chances.

 

[Zeshan547]

I mean how naive people can be, this Current overweight Umar is not even shadow of the Umar of 2010, I agree he was hard done but as they say two wrong don't make a right, so this Current Umar have to earn it on merit, because he has zero potential right now. Period.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

What exactly has he done to merit a comeback in the test side?This isn't 2010.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

If He is hungry for Test Cricket than He should even withdraw himself from Odi Cricket during FC season and play all the matches for his region or department, score atleast 3 FC tons in a season and average 55 plus in the season. Than on these performances he should be given recall.

Furthermore no discipline breach. No attitude issues reported by team management and should reduce 10kg weight atleast.


No direct entry into Test squad merely on basis of previous experience, ability etc. Earn it.

Yes,if he wants to get back in the test side he should earn it by performing well in FC cricket and Grade-II cricket even.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Wait wait wait.......So let me get this straight......We are asking for a UA call back not because he's topping batting charts/ scored heaps of runs in domestics/
is a gun athlete etc etc but because he is the senior most after Misbah and Younis !! ) )

Incredible logic I must say, heck I could even argue this logic is almost certainly Akmalesque.....

Is that you Kami

 

[GullyCricketFlop]

If you can do it against Shane Bond and Mitchell Johnson, that's good enough for me!

Yeah but he did that like 6 years ago.

 

[GullyCricketFlop]

Wait wait wait.......So let me get this straight......We are asking for a UA call back not because he's topping batting charts/ scored heaps of runs in domestics/
is a gun athlete etc etc but because he is the senior most after Misbah and Younis !! ) )

Incredible logic I must say, heck I could even argue this logic is almost certainly Akmalesque.....

Is that you Kami

And he isn't even the senior most.That honor belongs to the Professor!

 

[ChachaPakistani]

He doesn't even deserve a spot on any LOI teams, let alone test.

Fawad Alam and Harris should be brought up for tests.

But of course I actually expect a loser like Akmal to come up because PCB things.

 

[Fahdi]

On what basis? What performances has he put up to deserve the recall?

 

[Slog]

If you can do it against Shane Bond and Mitchell Johnson, that's good enough for me!

why not recall Zaheer Abbas and Miandad

They did well against even better bowlers

and clearly time frame of the performance isnt an issue for you

 

[Slog]

legendary thread though.

Guy has 2(or 3) FC centuries in 8 years and cant survive in 50 over games but lets call him back anyway

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Yes he was badly treated initially. Nobody has argued that more than me. Dropping a guy who had the best average of any pak batsmen since the time of his debut was wrong, especially given he played one innings in UAE, all the rest outside of Asia.

However since then Umar has done himself no favours , he used to averages around 53 in first class, now before 45. He needs a year in domestic cricket before he a recall is thought of

 

[Hasan123]

Lol does he even have the fitness to last a session whilst batting?

He has a lot to do to get back in the test team.

With the revolutionary in charge I wouldn't be suprised to see UA recalled.

 

[Ultimate]

Most senior player around in the abscence of Younis and Misbah.

We should select on the basis of merit, not seniority.

 

[Hawkeye]

Good post by [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION].

I approve. Pretty sure he won't disppoint.

 

[Ellipsism]

Good post by [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION].

I approve. Pretty sure he won't disppoint.

Just like he hasn't in OD cricket?

 

[Ellipsism]

Umar Akmal has done absolutely nothing in the last year to even deserve a place in T20 or ODI team, let alone in the Test team

There are numerous domestic players who have been pilling on the runs that deserve a chance much more so than Umar on merit

But he has talent and plays at a fast pace.

 

[Hawkeye]

Just like he hasn't in OD cricket?

I still have faith in him, I understand why others have lost it though.

He was treated very harshly in Tests - was going great and suddenly thrown out.

 

[Amjid Javed]

What has he exactly done to merit a test comeback ?

what have players like shan masood, shehzhad, Hafeez done in last few years to keep been recalled to side? Yes Umar hasnt set the world alight domestically but if he gets his head right he could be a very good test player.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Most senior player around in the abscence of Younis and Misbah.

Faisal iqbal, imran farhat both say hello )

 

[ExpressPacer]

I would love to have him in the team but after:
- He loses 10 Kg and gets fit.
- Passes the fitness test easily.
- Averages 50+ in QEA trophy and scores a couple of big hundreds.
- Improves his attitude and gives being in the team importance.

 

[sshakir411]

the Akmal mafia never seems to take a break. maaf karo yaar

 

[coy0607]

I still have faith in him, I understand why others have lost it though.

He was treated very harshly in Tests - was going great and suddenly thrown out.

he was treated harshly 8 years ago... so what? get over it, countless players in Pak cricket have been treated much worse over the years

are we just supposed to feel sorry for him and gift him a spot?

 

[Pak_lover6]

what have players like shan masood, shehzhad, Hafeez done in last few years to keep been recalled to side? Yes Umar hasnt set the world alight domestically but if he gets his head right he could be a very good test player.

Well I never would say that their selection is right. We know why Shan Masood keep getting selected and we also know Hafeez has been selected wrongly. Ahmed Shehzad though did perform in FC to get selected but still I think Sami Aslam deserved the opening spot after those tough tours.

 

[Savak]

I have a strong hunch that Umar Akmal when given the opportunity in test cricket will surprise us all. If only he had the luxury of batting in the UAE like the likes of Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq did.

 

[Big Mac]

I have a strong hunch that Umar Akmal when given the opportunity in test cricket will surprise us all. If only he had the luxury of batting in the UAE like the likes of Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq did.

Yeah, I'd like to select batsmen for whom scoring runs would "surprise us all". Terrific strategy.

 

[Savak]

Yeah, I'd like to select batsmen for whom scoring runs would "surprise us all". Terrific strategy.

He is talented

 

[Slog]

He is talented

Too talented to score at domestic level?

 

[Ami]

Its gonna end in tears...cos i know hes gonna go for a hoick at the wrong moment. Its a fact.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

He thinks he is finished. But his fans still have hopes for him.