In a fiery statement on his YouTube channel, Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal has openly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for what he calls “age-based discrimination” in team selections for the Pakistan Super League (PSL X). Akmal alleged that players like himself, Ahmed Shehzad, and Sohaib Maqsood, all nearing the age of 35, have been unjustly sidelined despite still being capable of contributing on the field or as mentors.
Akmal’s remarks come amid ongoing concerns about Pakistan’s cricketing structure. The former national player highlighted the contradiction of allowing players well into their 40s to continue featuring in the PSL, while relatively younger veterans are shown the door. He specifically pointed to Quetta Gladiators’ all-rounder Shoaib Malik, who continues to play despite being 45. Akmal questioned the criteria being used to determine fitness and relevance, asking bluntly, “What are we supposed to do? Shoot ourselves?”
The wicketkeeper-batsman also took aim at the PCB’s fitness evaluation system, claiming it lacks credibility. According to him, many senior players and even coaches have never undergone legitimate fitness testing, despite making it a requirement for others. “They never took fitness tests,” he alleged, drawing from his personal experience within the national setup.
Expressing concern for the future of Pakistani cricket, Akmal stressed that continued participation of aging players in domestic tournaments simply to prepare for the PSL limits opportunities for younger talent. He also blamed PCB’s leadership for the current state of affairs, accusing them of drawing salaries while players suffer due to their flawed decisions.
Empty stadiums during PSL X were also brought up by Akmal, who linked the lack of fan interest to poor team selections that exclude star power in favor of unfamiliar names. According to him, fans want to see well-known, proven cricketers, not a revolving door of new faces without widespread appeal.
Akmal didn’t spare Pakistan’s current captain, Babar Azam, either. He advised Babar to bat at number three to improve his form and prove his worth in the all-important PSL 10 season. “He must improve his game to prove himself to the PCB and fans,” Akmal concluded.
With PSL 10 on the horizon and criticism mounting, Akmal’s outburst has sparked new debate about age, selection criteria, and the future of cricket in Pakistan.
