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Umar Akmal, the Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter, has expressed significant frustration regarding the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) ongoing refusal to issue him a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
He has vowed to pursue legal action against what he perceives as “unjust treatment.”
In a recent media interaction, the 35-year-old voiced his disappointment over being repeatedly sidelined by the PCB, despite having prioritized national duty over lucrative international league opportunities in the past.
He stated, “International cricket has always been my top priority. I gave up major leagues to serve Pakistan. But today, I regret those decisions because I never imagined I’d be treated like this. I don’t understand the reason behind it, nor do I know who in the PCB thinks I shouldn’t be playing cricket.”
Umar highlighted the inconsistency in the PCB’s treatment of players, noting, “I’m willing to say it on camera — there are players who seriously damaged Pakistan’s image and were punished for it, yet they are now key members of the national team.”
He recalled a previous instance where he suffered financial losses due to the delayed issuance of an NOC for league participation. “I had faced an issue with my NOC before as well, and even then I suffered a significant loss.
When the media offered a bit of support, I was asking for an NOC from the 12th to the 25th, but I was given the NOC on the night of the 20th. After that, it was a very difficult decision for me. The way my contract was ruined is extremely unfair,” he explained.
Currently, Akmal has applied for another NOC to participate in an ICC-approved league in Switzerland, but his request remains pending. “I have applied for another NOC now, but I can’t understand why they haven’t issued it yet. It’s obvious that if I’m going to play in a league, it’s ICC-approved. If it weren’t, why would I even apply?” he questioned.
He expressed disappointment that the PCB officials, who are former cricketers themselves, are acting in this manner. “What hurts me the most is that the people in PCB who have the authority in such matters are themselves former cricketers — and for them to act like this despite being cricketers is deeply shameful for me,” he added.
Umar hinted at the possibility of taking legal action if the situation does not improve, emphasizing that he is still young enough to continue his playing career.
“I’ll have to do it. Right now, I’m not that old — my age is such that I still have time. I can’t just shoot myself if I’m not getting to play for Pakistan. There are players older than me who are still in the Pakistan team and playing in leagues,” he stated.
He concluded by suggesting that if he presents proof of his claims to the media, the public can make their own judgments. “So if I come forward with proof in front of the media, then you all can decide for yourselves — and the public will too. That would make me feel much better,” he said.
