Former Pakistan wicket-keeper Umar Akmal recently shared the hardships he had to endure during the period he was banned by the PCB in 2020.
In February 2020, Umar Akmal, a veteran of 221 international matches, was suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for 18 months for breaching the PCB’s anti-corruption code by not reporting the corrupt approaches made toward him. His 18-month ban was later decreased to only 12 months with a fine of PKR 4.25 million (approx $27000).
After his reintegration into Pakistan cricket, he apologized. But soon left Pakistan mid-season to venture into cricket in the USA, signing with the Northern California Cricket Association.
The 33-year-old last played for his country in 2019 but continues to keep the hope of donning the green shirt once again.
Lot of people revealed their true colours: Umar Akmal
Recalling that tough phase of life during his suspension, Umar Akmal got teary eyed and revealed personal details.
“No one, not even my enemies, should have to face that the time that I did. Allah tests a person by giving or taking something. However, when I was going through a bad phase, a lot of people revealed their true colours and left my side. But I am thankful to those who still stand beside me,” Umar Akmal was quoted by GeoNews.
“I could not send my daughter to school for eight months and my wife did not let me down during these tough days,” he recalled, saying that he gets tears in his eyes whenever he thinks about those days. “My wife was born with a golden spoon but she told me that she will always be supportive of me no matter how bad the situation gets and I am thankful to her for that,” he added.
Umar Akmal appeared for the Quetta Gladiators in the PSL 2023 and wishes to make another comeback in the Pakistani team for next year’s T20 World Cup 2024.
