Umar Akmal banking on upcoming WC to prove turning point in career

Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal is hoping that the upcoming Cricket World Cup would prove as a turning point in his career and help him redeem himself as the prodigious batting talent that earned him praise from masters like Sunil Gavaskar and Ian Chappell.

Akmal broke on the Pakistani cricket scene as a prolific batsman but gradually regressed to being more of a wicketkeeper-batsman and later a middle-order impetus provider.

Recalling the start of his career, Akmal attributed his initial success to senior players Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi, who he say played a pivotal role in him getting his maiden international ton, which eventually brought him to the fore on the international stage, the Dawn reported.

Akmal claimed that Afridi told him that he could make a 100, and it would be a remarkable moment for him.

Akmal has now gradually lost his touch with the bat in a system that is devoid of the ability to maintain and nurture talent. Then there have been rumours of the Akmal brothers having personal connections within the team management.

However, Akmal said that this is not the team of Akmal brothers, adding that this is the team of the whole Pakistan, rejecting those allegations. The batsman prefers to focus on the World Cup.

Akmal also claimed that he was equally surprised why Pakistan ends up failing against its South Asian neighbours in major events.

Akmal is hoping that this custom would come to an end at the upcoming World Cup, adding that the confidence being provided by team management and coaches has been a morale booster.