Staying away from national team for five months was hard: Umar Akmal

Umar Akmal, Pakistan's mercurial batsman, is determined to turn over a new leaf after being handed a fresh opportunity to prove his worth at the highest level. The 26-year-old, who has been kept out of the national side over disciplinary issues, expressed his desire for a 'controversy-free' career after he was named in Pakistan's Twenty20 International squad for the upcoming series against West Indies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Akmal's last appearance in a T20I for Pakistan came against Australia in the World T20 held in India in March. Mickey Arthur, the newly-appointed head coach of Pakistan, opted to leave Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad out of the training camp in May, ahead of the long tour of England.

"I want to have a controversy-free career now because staying out for five months from the national side were very tough and hard for me. It made me realise lot of things," Akmal said on Sunday (September 11).

Despite winning the one-off T20I against England, Pakistan's limited-overs game - particularly their batting - appears to be in need of a reboot. The chance to win back the management's trust in T20I in UAE could also open several other doors for the wicketkeeper-batsman. Even with Sarfraz Ahmed making the spot behind the stumps his own with commendable performances in limited-overs, picking an in-form Akmal as a specialist batsman could still be a good punt for the Asian side.

"I know I can also contribute a lot in the 50-over format as I enjoy the challenge of the longer format of the game," he said.

Akmal's return to the squad is not merely due to the need for a shake-up, but also the fact that he has been in riveting form in the ongoing National T20 cup. Turning up for Lahore Whites, Akmal has scored 361 runs in seven innings. His exploits include three fifties and a devastating 48-ball knock of 115 at a strike rate of 239 against Lahore Whites, where he carted Yasir Arafat for 34 runs in an over.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan's chief selector, reiterated the fact that Akmal is making his way back purely based on merit. "He is back in the team because he is in good form and has shown this in the national event. I have spoken to him and he is keen to prove to everyone that he wants to become a permanent part of the Pakistan team in other formats of the game," Inzamam said.

The upcoming series in UAE begins with the three T20Is from September 23, followed by three ODIs and Tests stretching up to November 3.