Umar Akmal is back in the headlines. This time, not for his explosive batting, but for some serious allegations against former Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis.
In a recent interview, Akmal revealed that Younis mentally pressured him during his time with the national team, affecting his confidence and approach to Test cricket.
For a player once considered Pakistan’s most promising young batter, this raises an important question—was Umar Akmal held back by coaching decisions, or did he fail to adapt?
The “T20 in Tests” Criticism
Umar Akmal’s attacking batting style was never a secret. He loved playing shots, even in Test cricket. But according to him, Waqar Younis didn’t approve.
“Have you started playing T20 cricket in Tests?” Younis would often say whenever Akmal played attacking shots.
And when he tried to rotate the strike, he got a different response. “Are you playing an ODI in Test cricket?”
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Umar Akmal was left frustrated, feeling caught between conflicting instructions. In his words: “Now, look at today’s Test cricket—it doesn’t even last three or four days.”
And he’s not wrong. Modern Test cricket has evolved, with teams like England’s Bazball approach proving that an aggressive mindset can actually be successful in the longer format.
Umar Akmal also claimed that Waqar had issues with his brothers, Kamran Akmal and Adnan Akmal. He recalled a moment when he overheard Younis questioning their presence in the team.
“Will all the cricket be played by these brothers?”
That’s a bold accusation. The Akmal family did have three international cricketers, which is rare in Pakistan. But was it favouritism, or were they simply good enough to be there? Akmal clearly feels it was unfair criticism.
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More Focus on His Accessories than His Batting?
Another surprising allegation was that Waqar Younis was more concerned about Umar’s appearance than his game.
“He would ask me, ‘Why are you wearing these glasses? Why these shoes?’ Instead of focusing on my cricket, he was more interested in such things.”
For a coach, shouldn’t performance come first? If true, this kind of distraction would frustrate any player.
At 34, Akmal hasn’t played for Pakistan since October 2019. His career, which started with so much promise, has been overshadowed by controversies, fitness concerns, and inconsistent performances.
His latest claims add another chapter to his rollercoaster journey. But the real question remains—was he truly a victim of poor coaching, or did he fail to evolve with the game?
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