Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad in the middle of yet another controversy

FAISALABAD: Pakistan cricketers Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad have found themselves in the midst of yet another controversy.

Media reports on Monday revealed that Akmal was found involved in a brawl at a theatre in Faisalabad.

The fuss was allegedly caused over the cricketer’s demand for a song from the theatre to be replayed. When the administration refused to oblige to his call, a fight reportedly broke out.

Things only calmed down a bit after Akmal was forced to leave the hall after being identified by the audience as a Pakistani international cricketer.

Reports said Akmal was accompanied by cricketers Awais Zia, Bilawal Bhatti, Mohammad Nawaz and Shahid Yousuf — a claim which the 25-year-old batsman denied, insisting that he was alone.

Umer Akmal in trouble again - 25 April 2016 by GeoNews

“I would request for my privacy to be respected,” Akmal told reporters. “If I am breaking any law then the government reserves the right to arrest me,” he added.

He urged the media to judge him only on his performance on the field. “It’s my personal life and I went to watch theatre alone,” he said.

“I went to watch a drama for entertainment; it is not a bad thing to do…it is my request that a cricketer’s private life should not be highlighted.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) department of security and vigilance has launched an inquiry into the incident.

On the other hand, sources revealed that Shehzad, after failing to complete his century against Balochistan during a Pakistan Cup match on Sunday, smashed the dressing room’s window to vent his anger.

According to sources, he was unhappy on being given out on 79 and broke into an argument with the on-field umpire, saying Bhatti may not have claimed a clean catch.

However, the 24-year-old opening batsman said that he had put in his full efforts and that the issue was being made out of nothing.

“Gave my 100% for the match on my role [and] responsibility yesterday [and] again here we are making [something] out of nothing...unbelievable...sad stuff,” Shehzad said in a tweet.

Shehzad’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was playing Azhar Ali’s Balochistan at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, and comprehensively won the match by 74 runs.

(Photo: Reuters/File)