Former Pakistan international Umar Akmal has been banned by Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). Further, the cricketing board suspended the batter from any cricketing action until the investigation is completed by the committee.
The suspension of Umar will take place with immediate effect under Article 4.7.1 (Anti-Doping Clause). “As this is an ongoing investigation, the PCB will not make any further comments,” stated the board’s press release.
Further, PCB allowed Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiator for Akmal’s replacement in the upcoming edition of the HBL PSL. “Quetta Gladiators are allowed to apply for Umar Akmal’s replacement in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020,” PCB further added in its statement.
Reigning champions, Quetta Gladiators and two-time champion Islamabad United are scheduled to lock horns in the tournament opener on February 20.
Earlier, it was reported that Umar was found misbehaving with the fitness staff, after failing the skin-fold test. Apparently, the 29-year-old batsman asked the trainers, “Where is the fat,” while exposing himself, according to reports by Espncricinfo.
It was only later that his elder brother Kamran Akmal tagged the situation as a big misunderstanding and termed it as his younger brother’s mischief. The board as well concurred the statement from the Akmal brothers.
“PCB is fully aware of the matter and was looking into punishments in the context of bringing the game into disrepute,” commented the board earlier on the incident.
The article 4.7.1 states,
Where either
(a) the PCB decides to charge a Participant with an offence under this Anti-Corruption Code; or
(b) 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 Tribunal’s determination of whether he/she has committed an offence. Any decision to Provisionally Suspend the Participant will be communicated to the Participant in writing, with a copy sent at the same time to the ICC and, where applicable, the National Cricket Federation to which the Participant is affiliated
