With World Cup approaching, Umar Akmal shines in Pakistan Cup opener

Pakistan middle order batsman Umar Akmal aims to use the ongoing Pakistan Cup to cement his place in the ICC World Cup squad, after his knock of 136 helped Balochistan beat Punjab by six wickets in the tournament’s opening match.

"My job is to perform and as far as the selection for the World Cup is concerned, it is the job of selectors, coaches and captain; I will do my utmost to perform well in the remaining games and play an important role to help my team win," said Akmal at the post match conference.

The middle order batsman is known more for his controversies off the field rather then performance on the field, and Akmal wants to change all that. “I don’t want to remember the past and am proceeding game to game," said Akmal.

Akmal thanked head coach Mickey Arthur and batting coach Grant Flower for improving his game. "Like the Head Coach had told me to finish games and be a good player for Pakistan, I applied that advice here. I would like to thank our batting coach Grant Flower for the work he put with me in the UAE,” he said.

The middle-order batsman hit 14 boundaries and five sixes in a 108-ball knock. He reached his half-century off 37 balls and cross three-figure mark in 86 deliveries.

Earlier, Umar was fined 20 percent of his match fee for the fifth ODI against Australia after having breached a team curfew ahead the match in Dubai.