Umar Akmal : Our missing star

[Chokli]

If he returns I would put him at 6. Imam gets too much hate. I think he is a prolific run scorer who does bat a bit slow but has compliments Fakhar perfectly. Umar needs to play as a lower order hitter. The restrictions might favour him as a opener but I feel it is harsh on Imam.

And then we'll be back to square one.

He's not going to win you matches at number 6, but he will help you ensure Pakistan is well set if he opens.

Imam isn't good enough for the modern game, especially since we have Azam, Haris, Hafeez, Malik and Sarfraz to accommodate.

 

[New Yorker]

Those aren't horrible numbers but he was rightfully dropped and after scoring runs in domestic he should be brought back.

You don't shun out players of his calibre, you need to back them and use them properly.

They are deeply mediocre numbers. Not a single century, no string of consistent strong scores. Just a fifty every dozen matches or so. He's no calibre at all. We have better younger players who have not yet been given all the chances he enjoyed. He is not the only player scoring runs in domestics.

 

[Chokli]

They are deeply mediocre numbers. Not a single century, no string of consistent strong scores. Just a fifty every dozen matches or so. He's no calibre at all. We have better younger players who have not yet been given all the chances he enjoyed. He is not the only player scoring runs in domestics.

That's because his role in the team is not defined.

He's not the type of player to win you a match at number 6.

 

[Pete Rose]

Good for comic relief

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

The OP wrote in decent enough coherent English so I am a bit confused right now.

 

[New Yorker]

That's because his role in the team is not defined.

He's not the type of player to win you a match at number 6.

He doesn't know that his role as a batsman is to score runs?

Let's review the facts. Since his cosmic century against mighty Afghanistan in 2014 up and until his monstrously unfair sacking in 2017, our most talented and 'dynamic' batsman averaged a Kohliesque 22 in ODIs, at a blistering, Gayle-mocking SR of 83, racking up a mountainous two 50s.

In the two matches in which he encountered India thereafter, did his batting position somehow confuse him into thinking it was fine to get out for 0 and 4? Was he so oozing with dynamism and talent that actual performance seemed trivial? Were these not perfect opportunities to win matches from no 6?

Too brimming with confidence after his drubbing of Windies and Lanka, Averaging 57 and 48 against these giants of the modern LOI game, but showing his real mental strength with an impressive Ave of 15 against India, and a whopping 25 against England, in England, where the WC is being played.

Now this self entitled tubby with behavioral issue scores some runs in domestics and all other young batsman who are overdue for their first chance at international cricket are to step aside to let Ukmal have his 117th chance?

If this is 'Our missing star' we are lost.

 

[Cric1234]

He doesn't know that his role as a batsman is to score runs?

Let's review the facts. Since his cosmic century against mighty Afghanistan in 2014 up and until his monstrously unfair sacking in 2017, our most talented and 'dynamic' batsman averaged a Kohliesque 22 in ODIs, at a blistering, Gayle-mocking SR of 83, racking up a mountainous two 50s.

In the two matches in which he encountered India thereafter, did his batting position somehow confuse him into thinking it was fine to get out for 0 and 4? Was he so oozing with dynamism and talent that actual performance seemed trivial? Were these not perfect opportunities to win matches from no 6?

Too brimming with confidence after his drubbing of Windies and Lanka, Averaging 57 and 48 against these giants of the modern LOI game, but showing his real mental strength with an impressive Ave of 15 against India, and a whopping 25 against England, in England, where the WC is being played.

Now this self entitled tubby with behavioral issue scores some runs in domestics and all other young batsman who are overdue for their first chance at international cricket are to step aside to let Ukmal have his 117th chance?

If this is 'Our missing star' we are lost.

Lets be realistic here there's a struggle apart from Babar in Limited overs to find decent batsmen in tests and ODIs Akmal should get another chance as he's one of the few in Pakistan who can score quickly in tests with test matches in UAE being drawn and lost due to slow inept batting by Azhar and company.
In ODIs he should be given a chance in the top 3 or 4 around 12-15 matches to prove his worth Hafeez Malik won't be around for too long and a team full of inexperienced batsmen isn't a good thing aswell Akmal should be told to be disciplined.

 

[Chokli]

He doesn't know that his role as a batsman is to score runs?

Let's review the facts. Since his cosmic century against mighty Afghanistan in 2014 up and until his monstrously unfair sacking in 2017, our most talented and 'dynamic' batsman averaged a Kohliesque 22 in ODIs, at a blistering, Gayle-mocking SR of 83, racking up a mountainous two 50s.

In the two matches in which he encountered India thereafter, did his batting position somehow confuse him into thinking it was fine to get out for 0 and 4? Was he so oozing with dynamism and talent that actual performance seemed trivial? Were these not perfect opportunities to win matches from no 6?

Too brimming with confidence after his drubbing of Windies and Lanka, Averaging 57 and 48 against these giants of the modern LOI game, but showing his real mental strength with an impressive Ave of 15 against India, and a whopping 25 against England, in England, where the WC is being played.

Now this self entitled tubby with behavioral issue scores some runs in domestics and all other young batsman who are overdue for their first chance at international cricket are to step aside to let Ukmal have his 117th chance?

If this is 'Our missing star' we are lost.

And he was rightfully dropped after all of that but now he deserves another chance.

Hafeez from 2003 to 2010 was horrible.

But once he came back into the side in 2010 September in ODIS he's been a vital cog.

Same with Malik from 2009 to 2015, he was a shell of his former self.

2015 onwards, again he's been a vital cog.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Let us hope he stays missing from the national side.

 

[New Yorker]

Lets be realistic here there's a struggle apart from Babar in Limited overs to find decent batsmen in tests and ODIs Akmal should get another chance as he's one of the few in Pakistan who can score quickly in tests with test matches in UAE being drawn and lost due to slow inept batting by Azhar and company.
In ODIs he should be given a chance in the top 3 or 4 around 12-15 matches to prove his worth Hafeez Malik won't be around for too long and a team full of inexperienced batsmen isn't a good thing aswell Akmal should be told to be disciplined.

Nothing realistic about this analysis. We need an unreliable middle order batsman in the Test like the proverbial fish needs a bicycle. We didn't fall from no 1 in the Test rankings because we couldn't bat fast enough in the UAE, we fell because we were have repeatedly collapsed against various opponents in the UAE, NZ, Aus and Eng among other places. There is an argument for the kind of batsman that people imagine Ukmal to be in the ODI side, but not for the batsman who he actually is. The only remaining question cannot be, has he done something in domestics to earn a recall, but rather, has he had so much better than other deserving selections that warrant us to believe that he has at age 28 become someone other than the man who played 117th ODIs with nothing to show for it?

 

[Cric1234]

Nothing realistic about this analysis. We need an unreliable middle order batsman in the Test like the proverbial fish needs a bicycle. We didn't fall from no 1 in the Test rankings because we couldn't bat fast enough in the UAE, we fell because we were have repeatedly collapsed against various opponents in the UAE, NZ, Aus and Eng among other places. There is an argument for the kind of batsman that people imagine Ukmal to be in the ODI side, but not for the batsman who he actually is. The only remaining question cannot be, has he done something in domestics to earn a recall, but rather, has he had so much better than other deserving selections that warrant us to believe that he has at age 28 become someone other than the man who played 117th ODIs with nothing to show for it?

There's one example just recently first test against Australia score is 205-1 and Azhar Ali comes out and makes 18 of 80 balls considering the match was drawn with Australia 8 wickets down it was pathetic batting which wasted balls and time which proved crucial.

 

[Suleiman]

We're all in 2018 OP is in 2011.

 

[CricketDon]

We're all in 2018 OP is in 2011.

You’re right. In 2018 we have asif who misses a full toss on the pads. Great replacement.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Let us hope he stays missing from the national side.

Cuz everything is going so well for Pakistan?

 

[Hitman]

He should be given another chance.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

He should be given another chance.

If Pakistan keep performing the way they’re doing right now, then they’ll have no choice but to go to him for the SA tour.

 

[Plumb]

No and Never again, this Super Star can keep missing I would take the loses but not to see him in the team. Pathetic player to say the least

 

[Savak]

Its incredible that since the 2015 WC, the only ODI's Umar Akmal has played for Pakistan were the 2017 Australian 5 match ODI's and we are already extremely close to the 2019 WC. The PCB did not select him in the ODI squad for the most part due to Waqar's recommendation.

It is also incredible that he last played a test match for Pakistan in 2011 when Waqar was the coach and Mohsin Khan was the chief selector.

Honestly speaking there needs to be a huge sticky and Waqar must not be allowed anywhere near Pakistan Cricket ever again. A career destroying egoistic individual with absolutely no fear of god with respect to how he can destroy lives with a stroke of a pen.

I mean is Umar Akmal really ten times worse than the players currently playing in the ODI team for him to be completely forgotten and abandoned. Didn't we try dropping him in the 2013 CT where the PCB had to recall him again after how uninspiring the batting replacements were?

The Indians never gave up on Rohit Sharma inspite of him not delivering at all in his first 6-7 years in international cricket and kept on thinking of ways to help him perform and he rewarded that faith ever since he became the ODI and T-20 opener and hasn't had to look back since.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

I mean is Umar Akmal really ten times worse than the players currently playing in the ODI team for him to be completely forgotten and abandoned. Didn't we try dropping him in the 2013 CT where the PCB had to recall him again after how uninspiring the batting replacements were?

How did dropping him from the 2017 CT work out?

 

[Gotham Cronie]

We have players like Haris Sohail that are averaging 60 in their last 11 ODIs on the bench and people are focusing on this clown that is back in Pakistan.

 

[JibranAnsari]

No domestic performances to make a comeback , his first class career is going nowhere. His antics off the field are atrocious , no cricketing sense at all.

 

[CricketDon]

No domestic performances to make a comeback , his first class career is going nowhere. His antics off the field are atrocious , no cricketing sense at all.

You high? You been following domestic cricket?

 

[CricketDon]

How did dropping him from the 2017 CT work out?

Still living off the fluke win I see.

 

[JibranAnsari]

You high? You been following domestic cricket?

Yah , has not done enough. Has he scored 3 4 first class centuries this season or the last or the one before that?

Has not done enough in list A either , a few fifties but nothing extraordinary to win his place back.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Its incredible that since the 2015 WC, the only ODI's Umar Akmal has played for Pakistan were the 2017 Australian 5 match ODI's and we are already extremely close to the 2019 WC. The PCB did not select him in the ODI squad for the most part due to Waqar's recommendation.

It is also incredible that he last played a test match for Pakistan in 2011 when Waqar was the coach and Mohsin Khan was the chief selector.

Honestly speaking there needs to be a huge sticky and Waqar must not be allowed anywhere near Pakistan Cricket ever again. A career destroying egoistic individual with absolutely no fear of god with respect to how he can destroy lives with a stroke of a pen.

I mean is Umar Akmal really ten times worse than the players currently playing in the ODI team for him to be completely forgotten and abandoned. Didn't we try dropping him in the 2013 CT where the PCB had to recall him again after how uninspiring the batting replacements were?

The Indians never gave up on Rohit Sharma inspite of him not delivering at all in his first 6-7 years in international cricket and kept on thinking of ways to help him perform and he rewarded that faith ever since he became the ODI and T-20 opener and hasn't had to look back since.

Umar Akmal isn’t fantastic, but, he’s 100 times better than all the players in the current line up, a fact that some people find hard to grasp on to!

 

[CricketDon]

Yah , has not done enough. Has he scored 3 4 first class centuries this season or the last or the one before that?

Has not done enough in list A either , a few fifties but nothing extraordinary to win his place back.

What did Hafeez do? Heck you speak as if these minnow badgers xi is anything worthy as an opponent to any top 7 team. This side can barely beat Afghanistan.

 

[JibranAnsari]

What did Hafeez do? Heck you speak as if these minnow badgers xi is anything worthy as an opponent to any top 7 team. This side can barely beat Afghanistan.

Hafeez can bowl.

Akmal needs to win his place back , cant select him for doing nothing. On top of that he is an idiot with zero sense od responsibility.

 

[Suleiman]

You’re right. In 2018 we have asif who misses a full toss on the pads. Great replacement.

Yes because clearly Umar Akmal never had moments like those. The guy got bowled by a 9 year old girl in an exhibition match.

There’s plenty of other Akmal blunders documented on this forum, feel free to take a gander when you have time

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Since Umar’s last game (27/01/17), Pakistan have played 12 matches against the top 5 sides (Aus, Ind, NZ, Eng, SA). They’ve won 3 of those and lost 9.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

Since Umar’s last game (27/01/17), Pakistan have played 12 matches against the top 5 sides (Aus, Ind, NZ, Eng, SA). They’ve won 3 of those and lost 9.

Yes, and I remember when we were dominating these teams left and right with Umar Akmal.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Since Umar’s last game (27/01/17), Pakistan have played 12 matches against the top 5 sides (Aus, Ind, NZ, Eng, SA). They’ve won 3 of those and lost 9.

We lost 4-1 in Australia, where Umar Akmal did jack besides a struggling 46 in a failed run chase

 

[Plumb]

We lost 4-1 in Australia, where Umar Akmal did jack besides a struggling 46 in a failed run chase

But but but UA is a world beater....Comon people stop asking for this useless player. Its like UA was piling up runs for the team

 

[Abdullah719]

Since Umar’s last game (27/01/17), Pakistan have played 12 matches against the top 5 sides (Aus, Ind, NZ, Eng, SA). They’ve won 3 of those and lost 9.

Umar Akmal against those five teams in ODIs:

59 matches
1299 runs
67 highest score
24 average
75 strike-rate
7 ducks



But he will surely win us the FIFA World Cup and Wimbledon by gracing the Pakistan team with his (imposing?) presence.

 

[Abdullah719]

G.O.A.T

 

[Usman Chadda]

G.O.A.T

Look at those pathetic SRs. Did someone say he is a dynamic batsman? [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION]

 

[Syed1]

G.O.A.T

"Dynamic" batsman

 

[Syed1]

You know times are bad when the murmurs for recalling Umar Akmal are getting louder and louder.

 

[Plumb]

G.O.A.T

That's brutal......
Its like you have pulled one's towel when they come out from shower.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

G.O.A.T

It’s not easy when you’re being moved around the batting order. Would see similar stats if Babar Azam was told to bat at 5-6, and Fakhar Zaman batting lower down the order!

 

[Abdullah719]

It’s not easy when you’re being moved around the batting order. Would see similar stats if Babar Azam was told to bat at 5-6, and Fakhar Zaman batting lower down the order!

Congrats, he also has the distinction of failing at every spot in the batting order against these teams

 

[YousafTheBeast]

"Dynamic" batsman

Sorry, can’t take you seriously anymore after your shadab rant prior to his 3 wickets.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Congrats, he also has the distinction of failing at every spot in the batting order against these teams

This is as bad a hammering as the one we witnessed tonight

 

[Abdullah719]

The best part: In the 16 of these 59 matches against the bigger sides which we actually won, he barely contributed

 

[Chokli]

The best part: In the 16 of these 59 matches against the bigger side which we actually won, he barely contributed

Lol I remember that 44*.

Vs Australia chasing 170 odd in the World Cup.

 

[Plumb]

The best part: In the 16 of these 59 matches against the bigger side which we actually won, he barely contributed

take it easy bro. you might end the UA discussion today for good..)))

 

[Usman Chadda]

[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] is finishing a few PP careers today.

 

[The Viper]

Brutal lol.

 

[Syed1]

Sorry, can’t take you seriously anymore after your shadab rant prior to his 3 wickets.

Yeah because you had foreseen him taking three wickets in an over. What are you doing on PP, the team needs to as an analyst ASAP.

 

[Cric1234]

Congrats, he also has the distinction of failing at every spot in the batting order against these teams

Although he averages 37 at 6 overall he isn't a great lower order batsman it's simple should be given a run in the top 4 expecting high average against the top 5 teams is too much aswell still a better option than Imam and Hafeez long term in the top 4.
In tests he's definitely better than most of the batsmen selected an example of his effect is seen in the current FC match in a low scoring match he's scored 32 of 35 putting his team in prime position to get a crucial lead.

 

[CricketDon]

[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] is finishing a few PP careers today.

Not really, he’s cherry picking and clutching at straws. All strong arguments he’s ignored. He’d make a great analyst for Fox News.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Not really, he’s cherry picking and clutching at straws. All strong arguments he’s ignored. He’d make a great analyst for Fox News.

Pray tell, what are these strong arguments?

 

[The Viper]

Not really, he’s cherry picking and clutching at straws. All strong arguments he’s ignored. He’d make a great analyst for Fox News.

What’s the cherry picking? Umar Akmal is a minnow basher so he is not better than any batsmen we have currently. His performances against the top 6 are appaling in every position and look at the strike rate for a supposedly attacking player.

 

[JattMaula]

Don't know why but this thread made me compare Umer to the dyslexic kid in the brilliant Amir Khan movie "Taare Zameen Par".

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Thank you [MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION]. That was the mother of all finishers. The UA debate can now be put to bed.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Can we have a gif of the stats please, it will inevitably come in handy few years from now. I don't want to have to search for this thread

 

[Markhor]

Not sure how people can argue with facts.

Replacing one failure with someone who's been dropped long enough for some folks to forget he too was a proven failure ain't getting us anywhere.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Not sure how people can argue with facts.

Replacing one failure with someone who's been dropped long enough for some folks to forget he too was a proven failure ain't getting us anywhere.

Everyone is world class outside of the team

Unlucky for UA, there is raft of evidence to prove that he is below average.

 

[Chokli]

I just watched the highlights of the 2017 Australia series.

He's become so lazy and pathetic, sad to see.

Unless he turns it around, he's done for.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Certainly better than Asif Ali at the moment.

 

[Bilal7]

Umar Akmal against those five teams in ODIs:

59 matches
1299 runs
67 highest score
24 average
75 strike-rate
7 ducks



But he will surely win us the FIFA World Cup and Wimbledon by gracing the Pakistan team with his (imposing?) presence.

Crikey, those numbers are bad. I still want him in the team though. Just because. Maybe he's improved over the years and you have to admit, his domestic form has been good.

 

[hailian]

Umar Akmal is now in Top 5 batsman in T10 league and #1 batsman in his team Punjabi Legends. Cant wait to see him in PSL scoring runs. He is back in form to silence the haters!!

 

[Hasan123]

I think he will be back in the team after the WC If things don't turn out well. We love going back to senior players.

Don't know how he will do if he did return. Needs to maintain good numbers in domestic cricket to be selected.

 

[j_kazmi]

I think he will be back in the team after the WC If things don't turn out well. We love going back to senior players.

Don't know how he will do if he did return. Needs to maintain good numbers in domestic cricket to be selected.

I get the feeling that this is likely to happen aswell.

If he does well in domestics I’ll be all for having him back after the World Cup. But so far he’s been decent at best.

 

[mak36]

His talent has never been in doubt.

It's his mentality and character which is the problem and I doubt he's rectified that.

 

[DRsohail]

His talent has never been in doubt.

It's his mentality and character which is the problem and I doubt he's rectified that.

i was watching him in t10 league and I think he is drinking more and more water as he was still overweight.

 

[DRsohail]

He should not be near the national team simply based on the large belly he has.

 

[mak36]

i was watching him in t10 league and I think he is drinking more and more water as he was still overweight.

Water is very fattening.

 

[New Yorker]

Umar Akmal is now in Top 5 batsman in T10 league and #1 batsman in his team Punjabi Legends. Cant wait to see him in PSL scoring runs. He is back in form to silence the haters!!

The word is indifference. Yawn.

 

[aukhan]

Miss you Shining star, beautiful star

 

[the Great Khan]

Umar Akmal is now in Top 5 batsman in T10 league and #1 batsman in his team Punjabi Legends. Cant wait to see him in PSL scoring runs. He is back in form to silence the haters!!

showing us that he can play at most 5 overs or 10 lol..no thanks..

 

[Hasan123]

I get the feeling that this is likely to happen aswell.

If he does well in domestics I’ll be all for having him back after the World Cup. But so far he’s been decent at best.

Yes he has a lot of work to do to be recalled.

 

[ILcricket]

All the Akmals need to be in greens .

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Jane Kahan Gaye Woh Din

 

[YousafTheBeast]

The only current player that can play the short ball, sitting at home.

PPers would rather see our team at 90-6 with no Umar Akmal in the squad.

 

[aukhan]

He is miles better than Talat, Fakhar, Sarfarz, Imam, Asif Ali.

He was a rare match winner batsmen for us.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Umar Akmal averages 37 @ 88, 2nd highest average for a Pakistani batsman batting at No.6 (min 20 innings).

He’s also scored 2 centuries (equalling Afridi) and 11 half centuries.

Our current No.6 has a SR of Imam ul Haq.

 

[Hyperion66]

Surely deserves a place in the Pakistani squad, can't do worse than Malik.

 

[MMHS]

Umar’s PSL team picking was wrong - he should have picked a franchise where he could keep. At QG, he won’t keep and not sure where they’ll bat him. There is a WK’s spot for grab and both Akmal brothers will fight for it.

Now, I am sure this post is making lots of laugh, but after PSL & between WC final squad, there are 10 ODIs left and it’s wont be easy for current incumbents to score in an empty net. PCB will be forced to call back both Akmals in 35 men squad, after that anything can happen.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Umar’s PSL team picking was wrong - he should have picked a franchise where he could keep. At QG, he won’t keep and not sure where they’ll bat him. There is a WK’s spot for grab and both Akmal brothers will fight for it.

Now, I am sure this post is making lots of laugh, but after PSL & between WC final squad, there are 10 ODIs left and it’s wont be easy for current incumbents to score in an empty net. PCB will be forced to call back both Akmals in 35 men squad, after that anything can happen.

I agree, Karachi Kings would’ve been a perfect move for him.

I’ll be surprised if Sarfaraz plays Umar in the xi and if he does he’ll probably bat at 7 where he won’t get to face many balls.

If Umar does well then Sarfaraz may lose his spot as the WK batsman.

 

[Hyperion66]

Surely deserves a place in the Pakistani squad, can't do worse than Malik.

Or PCT could go radical and make him open alongside Imam, at least will play some proper shots instead of the hacking, chopping and luck riding we saw today.