Umar Akmal failed to maintain fitness after Pakistan Cup, says Inzamam
Umar Akmal has been dropped from Champions Trophy that is scheduled to start from next month.
BIRMINGHAM (Dunya News) – Pakistan middle order batsman Umar Akmal once again failed the fitness test, and has been dropped from the squad of Champions Trophy that is scheduled to start from next month.
Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq told that Umar Akmal could not maintain his fitness after Pakistan Cup, and that is why he is being sent back from England.
It has been disclosed that Akmal failed two fitness tests during ongoing training camp in England ahead of Champions Trophy, and has therefore been dropped from the team.
Furthermore, selectors are considering Umar Amin and Haris Sohail as Akmal’s replacement, but final decision has not been made yet. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has deadline of May 25 to announce the replacement, and is deliberating on the decision.
The chances of selection of Haris Sohail are higher than that of Umar Amin, as the left-handed batsman smashed one century, and two fifties in Pakistan Cup.
Both Umar Amin and Haris Sohail have not played ODIs for Pakistan for a few years. Amin played his last match in October 2014, whereas, Sohail’s last ODI was in May 2015 against Zimbabwe in Lahore.
It is not the first time that Umar Akmal failed his fitness test. The 27-year-old could not clear the test that was taken in March before the West Indies tour, and was also the only player to be dropped from the team owing to fitness.
He worked on his fitness afterwards in the Pakistan Cup, and was recalled for Champions Trophy.
