Controversial Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal, who made a blockbuster entry with a century in his first Test match in 2009, has been banned from playing all the formats of cricket for a period of 3 years on corruption charges by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Disciplinary Panel.
Umar Akmal’s ban is effective from February 20, when he was provisionally suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) under its anti-corruption code, as per which a player must report being approached to fix games. A tweet from PCB read:
“Umar Akmal handed three-year ban from all cricket by Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel Mr Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan”
Umar Akmal handed three-year ban from all cricket by Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel Mr Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan.
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) April 27, 2020
PCB Director – Anti-Corruption and Security, Lt Col Asif Mahmood said:
“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 The anti-corruption unit regularly holds education seminars and refresher courses at all levels to remind all professional cricketers of their obligations and responsibilities. And even then if some cricketers decide to take the Code in their hands, then this is how things will pan out,”
He added:
“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.”
Umar Akmal’s career has been marred by disciplinary problems because of which he had to face a number of bans and fines. Umar last represented Pakistan in two Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka in Lahore last year, where he failed miserably to first ball ducks on both occasions. So far, he has played 16 Tests, 121 one-day games and 84 Twenty20s for Pakistan.
As soon as the news of Umar Akmal’s ban came out, social media was flooded with reactions from the fans on it.
Breaking: Umar Akmal banned for three years from all cricket.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) April 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/1254732758376607744?s=20
https://twitter.com/Bolo_WaQar/status/1254767037160714243?s=20
Umar Akmal on his way to revenge to take PCB office : pic.twitter.com/WnMCj0gcHG
— Mustafa (@JoseTheJudas) April 27, 2020
Umar Akmal banned for 3 years from playing all forms of cricket. The Pakistani cricketer was punished in a fixing scandal.
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) April 27, 2020
Umar Akmal banned for 3 years from playing all forms of cricket. The Pakistani cricketer was punished in a fixing scandal.
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) April 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/Haroon_sardar_/status/1254742147150098434?s=20
So Umar Akmal officially makes it to the list of idiots! Banned for 3 years. What a waste of a talent! It’s high time that Pakistan moved towards passing a legislative law against match fixing. Behind bars is where such jack asses belong! Otherwise brave for more!!
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) April 27, 2020
