Pakistan batter Umar Akmal is picked up by the Quetta Gladiators for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight. 

Despite concerns over his fitness, the franchise saw potential in the batter and offered him a spot on their team. 

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Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi pointed at Umar Akmal and said he would be thankful enough to the franchise to pick him up again despite his poor performances.

The other franchises were not interested in drafting Akmal, making Quetta's offer a blessing in disguise for the player. 

"Umar Akmal should thank Quetta Gladiators because other franchises were not interested in picking him in PSL. Umar Akmal has problem of fitness since quite a long. I like him as a batter, but Umar Akmal still has to work upon his fitness a lot," said Afridi.

However, he still has work to do to get himself in top physical shape for the tournament.