Umar Akmal was indeed a promising talent and considered as the future superstar of Pakistan cricket, but some unwanted incidents didn’t allow his career to reach a stage which he probably expected to accomplish.
Just a few days ago, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced to ban Umar for three years. It was reported that Umar had breached Article 2.4.4 of the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Code. He also failed to divulge corrupt approaches made to him before the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
After the news broke out, several crickets and experts surfaced their views on Umar’s suspension, including former Indian opener Aakash Chopra and commentator Harsha Bhogle. Both opined that Umar had loads of potential but involvement in such activities was always wrong.
Chopra said that in early days one could make an excuse regarding the authenticity of fair cricket and not knowing the implications when someone approaches a cricketer for wrongdoings, but nowadays a player is bound to know about the seriousness of this issue.
“Umar Akmal had a lot of promise and talent. His temperament was sometimes questionable, but that is the case with most Pakistan batsmen, and he was no different. It might have been an excuse in the earlier era that cricketers didn’t know the protocols with regards to reporting a fixing approach,” Chopra was quoted as saying in a YouTube video.
“But nowadays, every player is taught about these things from the beginning of their career, and you know that if someone has approached you with a suspicious offer, then immediately you have to inform. If you fail in doing that, then there is always a doubt that you might have accepted that offer or might be considering it,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added.
Apart from Chopra, veteran analyst Bhogle expressed that there is no value of talent until a player doesn’t know how to manage it. Bhogle also gave an example of former Bangladeshi batsman Mohammad Ashraful, who was found guilty in the 2013 edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) along with Umar.
“To our east and to our west, I saw two extraordinary talents. Mohammad Ashraful and Umar Akmal. It is who you are and what you make of your talent that determines how far you go. Talent by itself is so so inadequate,” tweeted Bhogle.
To our east and to our west, I saw two extraordinary talents. Mohd Ashraful and Umar Akmal. It is who you are and what you make of your talent that determines how far you go. Talent by itself is so so inadequate.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 27, 2020
