LAHORE: Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal has filed an appeal against the three-year-ban slapped on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Disciplinary Panel for not reporting approaches by corrupt elements, a source within the PCB has confirmed.
Akmal has hired Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs, Babar Awan’s law firm to help him in the case. The sources said the board, within the next 15 days, will appoint an independent arbitrator to hear the appeal
According to details, a three-year ban has been imposed for each of the two charges of violating the PCB Anti-Corruption Code, which will be deemed to have come into effect from the date of Umar Akmal’s suspension i.e. 20 February 2020.
The PCB said both periods of disqualification will run concurrently, meaning Akmal will now become eligible to return to cricket activities on 19 February 2023, said the PCB press release.
“Akmal tried to take refuge under the pretext that in the past whenever any such approaches were made, the matter was reported by him, the statement said.”
The panel explained that Akmal’s behavior, especially his lack of cooperation, did not leave room for any mitigation.
In February, Akmal was suspended from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and charged with two separate violations of the PCB’s code of conduct. The Right-handed batsman has always been in controversies since he joined the national cricket team.
