Umar Akmal slams PCB over NOC delay, threatens legal action

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Umar Akmal has expressed his deep frustration with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the repeated denial of No Objection Certificates (NOCs), which has prevented him from participating in international T20 leagues. The 35-year-old has now threatened to take legal action, calling the treatment "unjust."

Speaking during a recent media interaction, Umar voiced his disappointment over being sidelined despite making sacrifices for the national team in the past.

"International cricket has always been my top priority. I gave up major leagues to serve Pakistan. But today, I regret those decisions because I never imagined I’d be treated like this. I don’t understand the reason behind it, nor do I know who in the PCB thinks I shouldn't be playing cricket," he said.

Umar also criticised the PCB for allowing some players with past disciplinary issues to return to the national side while continuing to deny him opportunities.

"I'm willing to say it on camera — there are players who seriously damaged Pakistan’s image and were punished for it, yet they are now key members of the national team," he stated.

Recalling a previous instance, Umar said he suffered financial losses when the PCB delayed his NOC, making him miss most of the league he was contracted to play.

"I had faced an issue with my NOC before as well, and even then I suffered a significant loss. When the media offered a bit of support, I was asking for an NOC from the 12th to the 25th, but I was given the NOC on the night of the 20th. After that, it was a very difficult decision for me. The way my contract was ruined is extremely unfair," he explained.

Umar has now applied for another NOC to participate in an ICC-approved league in Switzerland, but the PCB has yet to respond.

"I have applied for another NOC now, but I can’t understand why they haven’t issued it yet. It’s obvious that if I’m going to play in a league, it’s ICC-approved. If it weren’t, why would I even apply?" he questioned.

The batter also expressed disappointment in PCB officials who, despite being former cricketers themselves, are not supporting him.

"What hurts me the most is that the people in PCB who have the authority in such matters are themselves former cricketers — and for them to act like this despite being cricketers is deeply shameful for me," he added.

Umar hinted at going to court if the situation doesn't change and stressed that he still has time left in his career.

"I’ll have to do it. Right now, I’m not that old — my age is such that I still have time. I can’t just shoot myself if I’m not getting to play for Pakistan. There are players older than me who are still in the Pakistan team and playing in leagues," he said.

"They’re getting NOCs, but I’m not. So if I come forward with proof in front of the media, then you all can decide for yourselves — and the public will too. That would make me feel much better," he concluded.

Umar Akmal is a seasoned T20 player who has featured in major leagues like the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and the Champions League T20.

He has played 84 T20Is for Pakistan, scoring 1,690 runs at a strike rate of 122.73, including eight half-centuries. His last appearance for the national team came in 2019. In total, he has appeared in 279 T20 matches, scoring 5,839 runs with 34 fifties and one century.