Didn’t have money to buy daughter McDonald’s: Umar Akmal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal discussed the financial hardships he experienced during his ban from international cricket during his appearance on a TV show.

The cricketer while opening up about his financial responsibilities said that he did not even have the money to buy McDonald’s for his daughter. “I could not send my daughter to school for eight months and my wife did not let me down during these tough days,” he added.

“My wife was born with a golden spoon but she told me that she will always be supportive of me no matter how bad the situation gets and I am thankful to her for that,” said Akmal while praising his wife for standing with him during difficult times.

He continued by saying, “I was going through a bad phase, a lot of people revealed their true colours and left my side. But I am thankful to those who still stand beside me.”

Details about Umar Akmal’s ban from cricket:

In April 2020, Umar Akmal was banned from participating in all representative cricket for a span of three years. This penalty was imposed after he was found guilty on two charges of separate breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents

Umar Akmal utilized his right to appeal, and on July 29, 2020, an Independent Adjudicator adjusted the sentence, reducing the period of ineligibility to 18 months. Subsequently, in February 2021, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) further decreased Umar Akmal’s 18-month ban by an additional six months with a fine of Rs4.25 million.

Umar Akmal family: 

Born into the family of Mohammad Akmal Siddique, a prominent figure in Pakistan cricket administration, Umar Akmal grew up among eight siblings – seven sons, each involved in cricket at different junctures but most eventually venturing into business, and one daughter. Notably, he is the youngest sibling of Adnan Akmal and Kamran Akmal, both accomplished cricketers and wicket-keepers. Additionally, he shares a cousin relationship with Pakistani batsman Babar Azam.

In 2014, Umar Akmal tied the knot with Noor Amna, who is the daughter of Pakistan’s former leg-spinner, Abdul Qadir