PAKISTAN cricket star Umar Akmal was released on bail today, a day after his arrest for violating traffic rules and scuffling with a policeman.
The 23-year-old was charged with interfering with government work and ‘scuffling’ with the policeman after he failed to stop at a traffic signal and refused to show documents yesterday.
Traffic policeman Mohammad Zeeshan accused Akmal of tearing his uniform and assaulting him, charges the batsman denied.
Akmal’s lawyer said the court allowed bail in the sum of 100,000 rupees (around 950 dollars).
A visibly upset Akmal later told reporters he had tried his best to comply with the law.
“It was a case of police showing their strength and I tried my level best to resolve the matter,” said Akmal, who regularly plays limited-overs cricket for Pakistan.
Akmal’s father criticised the arrest.
“When our own people insult our national heroes then the rest of the world will also do this,” said Mohammad Akmal. “It’s insulting and unacceptable.”
Akmal is regarded as one of Pakistan’s most talented batsman, but has failed to live up to his potential because of his rashness in batting, which led to him being dropped from the Test side in 2011.
