Misbah to overlook Umar Akmal’s fitness for national selection

Pakistan’s hard-hitting batsman Umar Akmal is again being considered for national selection despite his discipline and fitness issues.

According to sources, Akmal’s fitness was recently assessed in the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore. Head coach-cum-chief selector Misbahul Haq wants to give Akmal another chance in international cricket and is likely to overlook his fitness issues.

The 29-year-old was last seen in action during the Pakistan Cup in April. Although, he gave a good account of himself with the bat, but his fitness wasn’t up to the international standards.

READ MORE: Misbah lays down selection criteria for national side

Similarly, all-rounder Imad Wasim is again likely to get relaxation in the YoYo test due to ongoing issues with his knee. Imad also skipped the YoYo test before the squad selection for the 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup. 

It must be noted that the all-rounder recently participated in the Vitality T20 Blast in England, instead of getting his knee treated.