Umar Akmal Accuses Waqar Younis of Jealousy, Claims It Ended His Cricket Career

The long-running dispute between Umar Akmal and former Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis has resurfaced, with the 35-year-old cricketer once again accusing the legendary fast bowler of ending his international career. Speaking on a local television program, Umar claimed that internal politics and personal grudges within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had sidelined him from both domestic cricket and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

According to Umar, certain officials within the PCB have been intentionally preventing him and his brother, Kamran Akmal, from returning to competitive cricket. He stated that despite staying fit and ready to play, he has been repeatedly overlooked in domestic tournaments, which in turn affects his chances of being picked by PSL franchises.

Turning his criticism toward Waqar Younis, Umar alleged that the former coach’s personal issues and jealousy were the real reasons behind his exclusion from the national team. He claimed that Waqar’s resentment toward his fame and lifestyle led to deliberate efforts to damage his career. Umar added that while he still respects Waqar as a senior cricketer, he cannot do so as a coach.

Recalling his experience from the 2016 T20 World Cup, Umar said he had submitted documents to the PCB suggesting that the team would perform better if Waqar were removed as head coach. He also hinted that other senior players had faced similar problems under Waqar but chose not to speak publicly about them. Umar maintained that he possesses evidence to support his accusations and plans to reveal it at an appropriate time.

The ongoing feud between Umar Akmal and Waqar Younis continues to divide opinion among cricket fans, raising questions about player management, internal politics, and how Pakistan cricket handles controversies surrounding its talent. Despite the setbacks, Umar remains hopeful of a comeback, frequently posting his training sessions on social media as a sign of his determination to return to professional cricket.