Middle-order batsman Umar Akmal has been handed a three-year ban from all forms of cricket by the Pakistan Cricket Board following corruption charges of violating two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption-code in two unlinked incidents.
Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan announced the verdict.
“The PCB doesn’t take any pleasure in seeing a promising international cricketer being declared ineligible for three years on corruption charges, but this is once again a timely reminder to all who think they can get away by breaching the anti-corruption code,” PCB Anti-Corruption and Security Director Lt Col Asif Mahmood said.
Umar represented himself and attended the hearing that took place today at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore where the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was represented by Mr. Taffazul Rizvi.
“I request all professional cricketers to stay away from the menace of corruption and immediately inform relevant authorities as soon as they are approached. This is in their as well as their teams’ and country’s best interest,” Mahmood added.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suspended him ahead of this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) season five. Umar pleaded guilty of failing to report approaches made to him.
Umar did request a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal. The case has been to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel, who issued notice to both Umar and PCB requiring their attendance for a hearing.
Umar had represented Pakistan in 16 Tests, 121 ODIs, and 84 T20Is since making his debut in 2009 against Sri Lanka. He last played for Pakistan in the three-match T20I series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore back in October 2019 against Sri Lanka where he was dismissed on golden ducks in the first two T20Is.
