Umar Akmal Slams Former Coach For Undermining His Game

Former Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal’s unabashed tour of criticizing former associates continued with his newest target—his ex-head coach, Waqar Younis. Umar Akmal leveled serious accusations against Waqar Younis in his latest appearance on a local media channel, alleging that the coach’s tactics left him mentally pressured during his tenure.

In an interview circulating on social media, the once-promising batter claimed that Younis frequently questioned his attacking instincts in Test cricket, suggesting that his aggressive approach was out of place in the Test arena.

Akmal recalled, “When I played attacking shots, I was told, ‘Have you started playing T20 cricket in Tests?’ And when I rotated the strike, they said, ‘Are you playing an ODI in Test cricket?’”

He further commented on the evolving nature of Test cricket, remarking, “Now, look at today’s Test cricket—it doesn’t even last three or four days.”

In a particularly startling revelation, the wicketkeeper-batter also alleged that Younis voiced concerns over the presence of his brothers, Kamran and Adnan Akmal, on the team. “I heard it with my own ears. Waqar Younis said, ‘Will all the cricket be played by these brothers?’ What kind of statement is that from a head coach?”

Despite the tough criticisms, Akmal expressed gratitude toward his senior teammates, who supported him during these trying times.

“The senior players sat me down and told me to ignore these things and play my natural game. They encouraged me to focus on my strengths rather than listening to negativity.”

As Umar Akmal looks for a way back into PCB’s good graces, it remains to be seen how his take-no-prisoners approach will impact his chances. For now, he remains one of the biggest “what ifs” in Pakistan cricket—an enigma whose career may be defined more by off-field controversy than on-field talent.