Kamran banking on Babar Azam for Umar Akmal's Pakistan comeback

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, is not quite happy about his brother, Umar Akmal, facing injustice despite giving his best performance in the Pakistan Cup and Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

While speaking with a local media personnel during Ramadan cricket tournament, Kamran stated that the team is selected based on the captain's approval and suggestion, and is urging skipper Babar Azam to recognize Umar's potential and consider him for the upcoming events.

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"With the World Cup and Asia Cup approaching, it's crucial to have players like Umar Akmal in the middle order. It's up to the selection committee, coaching staff, and skipper Babar Azam to recognize his potential and consider him for the team," he said.

"As the team is selected based on the captain's approval, it's essential to give Umar a fair chance. After all, if Imad can make a comeback based on his performance, Umar Akmal deserves the same opportunity," he added. 

The 41-year-old has praised his brother Umar Akmal's remarkable journey back to the cricket field after his ban. According to Kamran, Umar's comeback was a tough one, marked by years of struggle.

"Umar Akmal's comeback was a bumpy road, marked by four to five years of struggle after his ban. Despite being demoted to Grade-2 by the former board members, he bounced back with the help of Ijaz Ahmed, who fought for his inclusion in Northern. This paid off, as Umar's performance in PSL season eight was remarkable - he remained not out in most matches, even if he only faced three or fifteen balls," said Akmal.

The right-hand batsman, has spoken out in defense of his other team members, stating that their mentality is focused on playing for Pakistan.

"The mentality of our team members, especially Umar Akmal, is focused on playing for Pakistan, whether they bat from the first delivery or chase down a target. Such players deserve recognition from the selection committee, and it's unjust to ignore them," he said.

"Umar's performances in the Pakistan Cup and PSL were impressive, with an average and strike-rate that were up to the mark. Even when he faced only a few deliveries, he managed to score runs for his team, making him a valuable asset," he concluded.