Umar Akmal Alleges PCB Blocked His Return to Cricket, Cites Politics and Bias
LAHORE: Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal has accused senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials of deliberately blocking his return to both domestic and international cricket, alleging a pattern of exclusion driven by politics and favoritism.
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In a candid interview, the 33-year-old revealed that despite repeatedly expressing his desire to return to professional cricket, he was not given trial opportunities or included in domestic camps. “I kept saying that I want to play, but I’m being asked if I’ve played trials. I was always available, but I was ignored,” Akmal said, referencing a conversation with former team manager Wahab Riaz.
The batsman, who last represented Pakistan in 2019, claimed that direct instructions from high-ranking officials were sent to team managements, preventing coaches and captains from selecting him, even when they wanted to. “There were calls from above, telling them not to play me,” he alleged.
Akmal also criticized the overall system within PCB, stating that personal interests and internal politics were undermining merit-based selection. “I’m not the only one affected—other players too have suffered due to these issues,” he asserted.
Despite the alleged mistreatment, Umar Akmal maintained that he is still committed to representing Pakistan, urging the board to adopt a transparent and fair selection process. “Give everyone a fair chance. Let performance speak, not politics,” he concluded.
