Pakistan’s Umar Akmal has been sent home from England after failing two fitness tests in as many days.

Akmal had been named in Pakistan’s squad to participate in the Champions Trophy, despite not featuring in Pakistan’s ODI series against the West Indies in April.

The PCB are deciding on possible replacements for Akmal, with Umar Amin and Haris Sohail tipped as the most likely to take his place in the Pakistan squad.

‘He has failed two fitness tests during the ongoing camp there in England ahead of Champions Trophy,’ PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan told ESPNcricinfo.

‘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 25 May, so we are deliberating on the possible replacements.’

In an annual physical assessment of players in the Pakistan squad conducted earlier this year, Akmal weighed 91kgs and had a fat-level reading of 115.6 – anything over 100 is regarded as too high.

‘We had a set a fitness standard which isn’t really a tough one to start with,’ chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said.

‘But he still didn’t meet the average level.

‘So whoever the player is, whatever his performance is like, we could not select him. Akmal being dropped is a reprimand and it’s a major blow for any player. He is a good player, we needed him, but we had to take a decision.’

Pakistan will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against India at Edgbaston on 4 June.

Photo: David Mariuz/EPA/Backpagepix