Karachi, Oct 17 (IANS): Pakistan's chief selector and interim coach Mohsin Khan has asked middle-order batsman Umar Akmal to "stop being selfish" and work on playing big innings.

Akmal was dropped for the Test series against Sri Lanka in the UAE and advised to play in domestic cricket.

"There is no doubt over his (Akmal's) potential or talent. But he has not done enough to remain in the team," Mohsin was quoted as saying in espncricinfo.

"Basically we have given him a message. 'Go and play domestic cricket and learn to play big innings'. Learn to turn your thirties and forties into hundreds for the team. Stop being selfish.'"

Akmal had not scored a Test century since making an impressive debut in 2009. He was dropped for the two Tests in New Zealand last year after a lean patch. He was recalled for the Tests in the West Indies, but was dropped from the Test squad against Sri Lanka after scoring only one half-century in 2011.

"To tell you the truth, I was chief selector when we dropped Umar for the Test series [against Sri Lanka], but even if I had been the coach I would have still dropped him," Mohsin said. "He would not have found a place in my team."

"It is not my team or the PCB's team. It is Pakistan's team and those who are selected must justify themselves no matter how good they are."

Mohsin was appointed Pakistan's interim coach to fill the vacancy created by Waqar Younis' resignation after the Zimbabwe tour.