Umar Akmal fails to impress selectors with 2019 World Cup looming

Pakistan middle-order batsman Umar Akmal has failed to impress selectors during the ongoing one-day international (ODI) series against Australia.

According to Daily Express, chances of Akmal’s selection in the 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup squad are bleak bearing his mind his lacklustre show with the bat, since making a comeback in the national side.

“His attitude off the field has improved but he has not been able to impress on the field so far,” one selector said on condition of anonymity. “The only way he will come in reckoning for World Cup squad is if he performs well in the remaining two ODIs against Australia and the upcoming Pakistan Cup.”

The fact that Akmal got starts — he registered scored of 48, 16 and 36 respectively in first three matches — and then gave away his wicket is also a frustrating matter for the selectors. 

“We have plenty of players who score 20-30 runs in each innings but that is not ideal,” he said. “We want a player, in the middle-order, who takes the team over the line and provides stability to the batting department by staying at the wicket for a longer duration.”

The 28-year-old, who was withdrawn from Pakistan’s 2017 ICC Champions Trophy squad on basis of his poor fitness levels, will also need to clear a fitness test in order to secure a spot in World Cup’s touring party.

“Akmal also has to pass the fitness test in order to be eligible for a place in the World Cup squad,” he concluded.