PCB suspend Umar Akmal from all cricket activities

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended the experienced batsman Umar Akmal from all cricket activities with immediate effect under its Anti-Corruption Code. The suspension just comes on the day when the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is all set to kick-off.

Umar was set to feature for defending champions Quetta Gladiators, but he won’t be allowed anymore to play this season. However, PCB has given permission to the franchise to name a replacement.

Meanwhile, PCB hasn’t revealed the nature of his offence or the duration of his suspension saying the investigation is still going on.

“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,” PCB said in the media 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,” the statement further added.

According to Article 4.7.1:

“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.”

Umar was involved in a controversy earlier this month as well when he was alleged to have exposed himself to a trainer while undergoing a fitness test. However, the PC investigation had concluded that the incident was a result of a misunderstanding between the involved parties.

The middle-order batsman is out of the radar of the national team for quite a while now. He has played 16 Tests, 121 ODIs and 84 T20Is since making his international debut in 2009 for Pakistan.

Umar Akmal suspended under PCB Anti-Corruption Code

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