A week ahead to rollout highly competitive Champions Trophy 2017, Pakistan received a major blow as their batsman Umar Akmal ousted from the tournament. Beleaguered Akmal was asked to return to Pakistan as he failed fitness tests in England.

Recently, Akmal was recalled into ODI squad after being dropped West Indies tour in April.

Umar Akmal failed 2 fitness tests during ongoing camp, it`s been decided to call him back & send a replacement, Shahryaar Khan to Cricinfo pic.twitter.com/amxFxD2HiH

— Akber Ali (@AkberAli2611) May 21, 2017

Akmal, visibly, is suffering with overweight. He had weighed 91kgs with a fat-level reading of 115.6 - a measurement of over 100 is considered high in an annual assessment earlier this year.

"We had a set a fitness standard which isn`t really a tough one to start with," chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said.

Pakistan Team practice session at Edgbaston Cricket Ground (Day 2) pic.twitter.com/KxDKr8zWy3

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) May 20, 2017

While talking to a sports website, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said that Akmal has failed two fitness tests during the ongoing camp there in England ahead of Champions Trophy.

Akmal’s ousting is a big setback as his absence will weaken middle-order. The batsman has so far played 116 ODIs and scored 3044 runs with the average of 34.59.

The cricketer had also hit headlines for involving in a spat with Junaid Khan during the Pakistan Cup.

 "So since we have a policy not to carry unfit players, it has been decided to call him back and send a replacement. We have a deadline until May 25 so we are deliberating on the possible replacements," Khan said.

Umar Amin and Haris Sohail are front-runners who can replace Akmal. The likely replacement of Akmal, Amin and Sohail have not played ODIs for a few years. Amin played his last match in October 2014 while Sohail was in plying Xi in May 2015.

Source: NYOOOZ DESK - IPL