LAHORE (Kashmir English): Cricketer Umar Akmal has opened up about the missed opportunities in his career, expressing regret over prioritizing Pakistan’s national team over playing in international T20 leagues. The 35-year-old batter shared that he turned down several high-paying contracts abroad, hoping to represent Pakistan again. However, he now feels that his loyalty has not been rewarded.
In a recent interview, Umar Akmal revealed that he was offered contracts by foreign leagues like Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), but chose to decline them in favor of focusing on Pakistan. He said he expected the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to support his decisions, but instead, he feels ignored and sidelined.
“International cricket has always been my top priority,” Umar began. “I gave up major leagues to serve Pakistan. But today, I regret those decisions.”
That regret, he says, stems from what he sees as repeated, unexplained discrimination by the PCB, chiefly the consistent denial of NOCs that would allow him to participate in overseas leagues.
“I don’t know who at the PCB thinks I shouldn’t be playing cricket,” he said. “But I’ve been made to suffer quietly, time and again.”
Umar’s frustrations are rooted in more than just lost matches; they’ve cost him financially and mentally. He recalled a previous instance when an NOC was granted so late that he missed nearly an entire league season. Now, Umar Akmal has applied for another NOC to play in an ICC-approved league in Switzerland. The PCB has yet to respond.
“If the league wasn’t legitimate, why would I even apply? I’ve followed the process. What more do they want?” he asked, visibly frustrated.
Should his current application be rejected again, Umar is prepared to take legal action.
“If this keeps going on, I’ll go to court. I’m not finished yet. I have years left in me, and I deserve the same chances others are getting.”
“I still have years left in me,” said Umar Akmal, insisting that he deserves a fair chance to play and earn like other cricketers. He also highlighted his record, over 5,800 runs in T20 cricket and appearances in leagues like the PSL, BPL, CPL, and Champions League.
The situation once again brings attention to the difficult relationship between certain players and the PCB, especially around the issue of NOCs. Whether Umar Akmal will be granted permission this time remains to be seen, but his message is clear, he wants respect, opportunity, and a chance to play the game he loves.
