Pakistani middle-order batsman, Umar Akmal has been banned from all cricket by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The news came on the heels of Akmal’s interview in which he revealed some shocking information regarding his involvement in match-fixing on various occasions.
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
According to the recent tweet by PCB, Umar Akmal has been banned from all cricket for three years.
Allegations Against Umar Akmal
Umar Akmal was facing allegations of corruption on multiple occasions. During a recent interview, Umar Akmal revealed that he was offered to skip matches against India and even offered $200,000 to skip two balls in a match by a fixer. He also revealed that he was approached by fixers during the 2015 ICC World Cup that was played in New Zealand and Australia.
Akmal did not request for a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal after he was charged for two breaches of Code 2.4.4 and 2.4.5. Due to this, Akmal was sidelined from playing for Quetta Gladiators in the 2020 Pakistan Super League this season.
Why The Three Years Ban?
Every player is bound to report every instance of fixers approaching them according to the ICC Anti-Corruption codes 2.4.4 and 2.4.5. Players are advised to mention all corruption approaches during every event to their cricket board. The failure to mention this to the respective boards can lead to a punishment of a minimum of 5 years.
Reportedly, PCB has Umar Akmal’s confession on tape, which makes it impossible for him to refute the claims. By accepting his mistake, Akmal was liable for a lenient punishment. Because of this, Akmal has to face a ban of three years rather than five.
What The Future Holds for Umar Akmal?
Umar Akmal is 29 years old at the moment and with the three years ban, Akmal will not be able to play any form of cricket until the summer of 2023. By that time, Akmal will be 32 years of age and his prime years of playing cricket will be too far behind him. Once a star player of Pakistan Cricket team, Umar Akmal is a right-handed batsman who may just have said goodbye to his international cricket days now. What the future holds for him is up in the air.
