Pakistan’s Test cricketer Umar Akmal has raised concerns on Mohammad Rizwan’s performance, while advising him to improve his performance and adopt a more modern style of play.
Speaking on a local TV channel on Friday, pointed out that the wicketkeeper-batter seemed more focused on becoming the top scorer in Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10.
“That is not how comebacks happen,” Akmal remarked.
“It looks like Rizwan is playing for a comeback. Even if he scores just 20 runs, the team should win. If the team wins, the selectors will automatically notice that Rizwan’s contributions are helping the side,
“You cannot make a successful comeback by playing only for yourself,” he reiterated.
He also emphasised the need for Rizwan to improve his strike rate and warned that if his current mindset continues, even his spot in the One Day International (ODI) squad could be at risk.
Akmal stated that if Rizwan, both as a captain and a batter, underperforms in one or two series, it could create serious difficulties for him going forward.
While criticising on Pakistan’s current approach, he said that in today’s modern cricket, the mindset of scoring just 200 or 250 runs to win matches is outdated.
“That era is gone. If the team does not score 350 in ODIs, they are not secure. Big totals are now essential for victory,” he added.
On the other hand, Akmal also advised PCB’s chairman Mohsin Naqvi to hold a meeting with both the red-ball and white-ball captains for betterment of Pakistan Cricket.
“My request to the chairman is to sit with both captains and give clear instructions to them. We have to play aggressive, modern-day cricket, no matter the pitch conditions. Only then will we see real improvement in our cricket,” he added.
Moreover, he opened up about his attempts to make a comeback to the national team, revealing the disheartening response he received from former chief selector Wahab Riaz when he expressed his availability.
In a recent interview with a private TV channel, Akmal shared how his efforts to return to the team were met with an unexpected question.
“I kept saying that I want to play, and I was asked if I had appeared in trials,” Akmal said. “Wahab Riaz asked me, ‘Have you played trial matches?’ I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ I told him that I am available.”
The 34-year-old, who last played for Pakistan in 2019 during a home series against Sri Lanka, expressed his disappointment at being asked to undergo trial matches despite his extensive experience. Akmal has played 16 Tests, 121 ODIs, and 84 T20Is for Pakistan.
Additionally, the wicketkeeper batter reignited his past criticism of former Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis, recalling an incident where, after scoring a century in a Test match, Waqar did not offer any praise.
Instead, he remarked, “You’ve started playing T20 cricket in Tests.” Akmal also recalled a sarcastic comment from Waqar after he was dismissed in the second innings: “Where’s your T20 cricket now?”
The right-handed batter revealed that these remarks were disheartening and left a lasting impact on his confidence as a young cricketer.
It is pertinent to mention that Umar Akmal has accumulated 1,003 Test runs in 16 matches, 3,194 runs in 121 ODIs and 1,690 runs in 84 T20Is.
He is not part of any franchise team in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, having previously represented Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators from 2016 to 2023.
In the PSL, Akmal has scored 1,029 runs in 43 matches at an average of 30.26, with a strike rate of 144.31, including eight fifties.
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