I want to play well in Quetta Gladiators’ jersey if get chance: Umar Akmal

In the auction for the eighth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), no franchise showed interest in buying Umar Akmal. At that time Akmal may have thought that he is not playing in PSL. But at the last moment Akmal was surprised by Quetta Gladiators. The one-time champions brought this experienced cricketer of their country into the team.

Akmal was not picked by any franchise mainly due to poor performance and fitness. He finally got a chance to prove himself once again when Quetta Gladiators picked him up. Quetta Gladiators gave Akmal a chance in the team from the first match of the tournament. But he failed to use that opportunity. Akmal is not in rhythm with the bat. As a result, he no longer has the trust of the Gladiators management.

Akmal has played two matches in this tournament so far. Where this right-handed wicketkeeper batsman has completed all arts of failure with the bat. However, he stayed at the crease for quite some time in the first match. But Akmal could not score more than 14 runs. He played 18 balls to make those 14 runs. Which is incompatible with T20. In the second match, scored 4 runs off 4 balls. Since then, this cricketer has been criticized again. Many see the end of his career.

Quetta management lost faith in Akmal after failing in both matches. Because of that, he did not get chance in the eleven in the next three matches. But with this PSL, Akmal announced that he will return with new enthusiasm. After several days of off-form, he got the chance to reinvent himself in the Quetta jersey. But it is uncertain when Akmal, who was dropped from the XI, will return to the XI.

However, this cricketer said that he hopes to play well after overcoming the failure. He said in an interview, “Yes, I haven’t proved myself in PSL so far. But I’m not disappointed. I still believe that I still have a lot to give to the team. If I get another chance, I want to contribute for Quetta Gladiators. I want to play well and win the team.”

It should be noted that Akmal’s T20 career is not very good. Played 84 matches in Pakistan jersey in short format, scored 1690 runs at 122.73 strike rate. He has not scored a century even though he has scored 8 half-centuries. Still, Quetta had faith in Akmal’s experience in the PSL. But 32-year-old Akmal has failed to repay him properly.