Pakistan suspend Umar Akmal

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday suspended Umar Akmal for breaching its 'Anti-Corruption Code' with immediate effect.

The suspension comes hours ahead of the start of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020.

Umar Akmal will not be able to play for defending champions Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2020 and will not be able to take part in any cricket-related activities pending an investigation 'being carried out' by PCB's anti-corruption unit.

While the nature of offense has not been revealed by the PCB, the apex body of Pakistan cricket said Quetta Gladiators can look for a replacement for Umar Akmal.

Only recently, Umar Akmal escaped a ban for allegedly making crude remarks to a trainer during a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

"The Pakistan Cricket Board today suspended Umar Akmal with immediate effect under Article 4.7.1 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code, which means he cannot take part in any cricket-related activity pending the investigation being carried out by PCB's Anti-Corruption Unit," the PCB said in a release.

"As this is an ongoing investigation, the PCB will not make any further comments.

"Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators are allowed to apply for Umar Akmal's replacement in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020."

According to Article 4.7.1, "the PCB considers that there are other exceptional circumstances relevant to a Participant (for example, where any relevant police authority has arrested and/or charged a Participant with an offence under any relevant criminal law in respect of facts or circumstances that may also constitute an offence under this Anti-Corruption Code), it, shall have the discretion, in circumstances where it considers that the integrity of the sport could otherwise be seriously undermined, to Provisionally Suspend the Participant pending the Anti-Corruption Tribunals determination of whether he/she has committed an offence."

Notably, Umar Akmal had reported a match-fixing offer that was made to him during Global T20 Canada League 2019. Umar said he had immediately reported the incident to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit.

Source: India Today

Dhaka/AI