The Pakistan Cricket Board has reprimanded Umer Akmal for his outspokenness against the board and show cause why an action should not be taken against him. According to media reports, Umar, Pakistan’s talented middle-order batsman, has been cautioned by the Board to respond to the criticism on him by some of the former cricketers. The 22-year-old cricketer, who came through the ranks of junior cricket in the country, made his international debut in 2009 and has been a permanent member of Pakistan’s limited-over side since then. The right-hander is considered by many as one of the most gifted players in the country, who is yet to unleash his real potential at the ultimate stage of the sport. Akmal was dropped from the playing-11 for the first two matches of the recently-concluded ODI series against India but was given a chance to showcase his skills in the third fixture at Delhi. The middle-order batsman scored 25 runs off 50 balls with the help of three boundaries but got out at a very crucial time. Umar was heavily criticised by a number of former cricketers, who believe that the right-hander needs to enhance his temperament, if he wishes to be successful in international cricket. One of Pakistan’s former captains, Rashid Latif, even urged the selectors to drop the talented player.
