FIR filed against cricketer Umar Akmal after he allegedly assaulted a traffic warden

LAHORE: Test cricketer Umar Akmal has been detained by police for questioning after being accused of assaulting a police warden near Firdous Town in Lahore, Express News reported on Saturday. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him at the Gulberg police station and he will be presented before a court within the next 24 hours. “He violated a traffic signal and when he was stopped by the traffic warden he misbehaved with him, got abusive and also tore his shirt,” senior police official Tariq Aziz told reporters on Saturday. Aziz said physically assaulting and tearing the shirt of a police officer was a serious violation. “He is presently detained at the police station for questioning,” he added. The warden, identified as Zeeshan, claimed that Akmal swore at him also threatened him. However, Akmal, 23, denied the charges and told reporters that the traffic warden had slapped him and abused him over a minor issue. “His behaviour was inappropriate to say the least. I came to the police station to register a complaint and instead they have detained me,” he added. Speaking to the media, Gulberg assistant superintendant police (ASP) Zahid Nawaz said that Akmal’s face was not hurt and therefore there was no evidence to support his claim. He added that the warden’s shirt was torn near his collar and if anyone had resorted to violence, it was Akmal, not the warden. Akmal claimed the incident was captured on CCTV cameras at the traffic signal and the footage will make it clear who was the aggrieved and guilty parties. The cricketer’s father and brother arrived at the station shortly after his detention. Umar, who has appeared in 16 tests, 89 one day internationals and 52 Twenty 20 matches, is regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in Pakistan cricket.