Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq has advised Umar Akmal to change his attitude and said the senior batsman needs to show commitment towards the game to become a regular member of the national team.
Misbah said while there was no doubt about Umar’s potential and talent as a batsman but he needs to reassess his priorities as a professional cricketer.
“If Umar thinks he can play in the same mode as he is today, it will be difficult for him. He needs to show total commitment and focus to become a regular member of the side,” he told reporters via video conference.
Umar, 29, earlier this week submitted his reply to a show cause notice issued to him by the Pakistan Cricket Board for breaching clauses of the Anti-Corruption code which pertains to not reporting an approach to spot fix during the Pakistan Super League 5 in February.
The PCB Security and Vigilance wing suspended Umar on the first day of the PSL on February 20 for beaching the Anti-Corruption Code and last month issued him a show cause notice. Umar apparently submitted his reply by the deadline of March 31 and had reportedly admitted he made a mistake by not reporting the approach.
Misbah made it clear that Umar could still give some years to Pakistan cricket but for that he would need to show more commitment and discipline.
“He also has to work very hard on his fitness and show everyone he is very much interested in playing for a long time for Pakistan,” Misbah said.