Controversial Akmal drags Pakistan cricket into another drama

Middle order batsman Umar Akmal has accused Pakistan cricket Head Coach Mickey Arthur of verbal abuse at the Nationa
17 Aug, 2017

Middle order batsman Umar Akmal has accused Pakistan cricket Head Coach Mickey Arthur of verbal abuse at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.

"When I reached there first Grant and than our physio, Grant Luden refused to accommodate me saying they were only working with the centrally contracted players. I then went to Mickey and he told he was instructed only to work with the contracted players," Umar said in a press conference.

"He then told me go and speak to Inzamam and Mushtaq. I went to them and spoke to them. They explained things to me about my status and reminded me I had failed the fitness test several times. They advised me to listen to what was being said to me. I said okay and then they told me go and talk to Mickey again," Umar recalled.

The Pakistan batsman said it was the second time when he went to Arthur to ask him to allow him to train with the coaches that he lost his cool.

"First he told me what I was doing at the academy. He then told me I should go and play club cricket. And then he used poor and abusive language. I can tolerate anything but I don't think anyone has the right to use such language," Umar said.

Meanwhile, the PCB has issued a show cause notice to Umar, after it was reported that he had breached the terms of contract and clauses for players by going and speaking to the media.

Umar said he would respond to the show cause notice when it was served on him.

"I want to know that after I was dropped for the West Indies tour did I complain or blame anyone? I admitted I needed to work harder on my fitness and game.

"When I was sent back from the Champions Trophy which was a humiliating experience for me I didn't say anything or speak in the media. I only admitted I needed to improve my fitness and I had to do better.

"I went to England for rehabilitation and remained positive. But today I went to the media because the head coach used bad language and he has no right to do this with any player and I want the PCB to look into this," he added.

The middle order batsman has represented Pakistan, in 16 Tests, 116 ODIs and 82 T20Is.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017

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