PCB chief pardons Akmal

LONDON: Umar Akmal could make his international comeback in September, just around five months after being dumped as an enfant terrible in the wake of Pakistan’s embarrassing first-round exit from the ICC World Twenty20 championship in India.

The misfiring batsman was cleared for national duty on Thursday by Shaharyar Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, after the 26-year-old promised to be a good boy.

“Chairman PCB called in Umar Akmal for a one-on-one meeting and explained to him the reasons for his exclusion from the national team on disciplinary grounds,” a PCB statement said on Thursday.

“Umar Akmal committed himself to avoiding future incidents of a disciplinary nature and dedicated himself whole-heartedly to the welfare of the team. Accordingly Chairman PCB has informed the chief selector that Umar Akmal would be eligible for future selection,” it added.

The statement concluded with a hint that Ahmad Shahzad, the other player on the PCB blacklist, could also receive a pardon soon.

“A similar interaction is proposed for Ahmad Shahzad on his return from abroad,” the statement said. Both Umar and Ahmed were axed from the national team after their poor showing in a series of international assignments. Their cause was further dented because of reports of misconduct.

It remains to be seen whether Pakistan will recall either or both of them for the solitary Twenty20 International against England at Old Trafford on September 7.