Umar Akmal, the younger brother of Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran and fellow cricketer Adnan, came to prominence in 2007/08 for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and will be an important member of Pakistan’s team looking to defend their World T20 title.
After a sticky start to his maiden first-class season, Umar amassed 855 runs from nine matches in the Quaid-e-Aam Trophy, at an average of 77.72. His aggressive approach saw him smash 248 off just 225 deliveries in only his sixth match, and he backed this up with an unbeaten 186 two games later.
Despite a poor second season, a string of good knocks ensured Umar was selected for the Pakistan A tour to Australia in June 2009. In two Test matches he notched up scores of 54, 100* and 130 to propel his career to the next level and during the following ODI series he smashed a century off 68 balls.
A call-up to the main Pakistan side was not far away and the 19-year-old bludgeoned a hundred in his third ODI against Sri Lanka, underlining his undoubted potential.
As far as Umar was concerned, the only way was up and his inevitable Test debut against New Zealand was one to remember. He became only the second Pakistani to score a hundred on debut away from home after Fawad Alam, scoring 129 from 160 balls. More notably, he became the first Pakistani batsman to score both his first Test and ODI tons away from home.
A natural stroke maker with aggressive intent, Umar’s best position is number five. He was promoted up the order to number three and although he counter-attacked, it was clear he felt inhibited higher up the order.
Akmal finished the New Zealand tour with 400 runs at an average of 57.14. With Umar continuing his rapid rise to stardom, the future of Pakistan cricket looks in safe hands and should the youngster turn on the style in the Caribbean, Pakistan will be hard to stop.
After a sticky start to his maiden first-class season, Umar amassed 855 runs from nine matches in the Quaid-e-Aam Trophy, at an average of 77.72. His aggressive approach saw him smash 248 off just 225 deliveries in only his sixth match, and he backed this up with an unbeaten 186 two games later.
Despite a poor second season, a string of good knocks ensured Umar was selected for the Pakistan A tour to Australia in June 2009. In two Test matches he notched up scores of 54, 100* and 130 to propel his career to the next level and during the following ODI series he smashed a century off 68 balls.
A call-up to the main Pakistan side was not far away and the 19-year-old bludgeoned a hundred in his third ODI against Sri Lanka, underlining his undoubted potential.
As far as Umar was concerned, the only way was up and his inevitable Test debut against New Zealand was one to remember. He became only the second Pakistani to score a hundred on debut away from home after Fawad Alam, scoring 129 from 160 balls. More notably, he became the first Pakistani batsman to score both his first Test and ODI tons away from home.
A natural stroke maker with aggressive intent, Umar’s best position is number five. He was promoted up the order to number three and although he counter-attacked, it was clear he felt inhibited higher up the order.
Akmal finished the New Zealand tour with 400 runs at an average of 57.14. With Umar continuing his rapid rise to stardom, the future of Pakistan cricket looks in safe hands and should the youngster turn on the style in the Caribbean, Pakistan will be hard to stop.
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