PCB takes notice of Junaid, Umar argument

KARACHI: Two members of the Pakistan cricket team recently announced for the ICC Champions Trophy, Umar Akmal and Junaid Khan, were on Thursday seen involved in a verbal row over a minor issue.

After the toss for the Pakistan Cup game between Punjab and Sindh at the Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi, on Thursday, Umar, the Punjab captain, was asked by a television anchor why Junaid was not playing in the game. Umar said when he came to the ground Junaid was not at the venue and he was surprised.

“I also talked to coach and manager and they told me that he is not coming and as a skipper it’s really shocking for me,” Umar said.

Soon after that, Junaid said in a video message that what Umar had said was not the case. “I am surprised by what Umar has said about me. He said that I had run away from the game. I did not run away but I skipped the game because I was not feeling well. I had food poisoning and doctor Asad knows that. He treated me and also came to me this morning and told me that I also have fever and so I should not play the game and take rest,” Junaid said.

“The team management knows about it. Umar Akmal also is aware of it. I am really shocked that he talked like this. I don’t know on whose instructions he has said such thing about me,” Junaid said.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took notice of the issue and formed a three-member inquiry committee which will be headed by the Board’s General Manager Domestic Cricket Operations Shafiq Ahmed Papa.

“The other members of the committee are manager and coach of Punjab team playing in the Pakistan Cup,” the PCB said. “The committee will submit its findings in this matter as soon as possible,” the Board added.