COMING DOWN HEAVILY

Umar Akmal handed three-year ban for breach of anti-corruption code

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Umar Akmal opted against contesting PCB's charges in front of a tribunal. © Getty

Umar Akmal has been handed a three-year ban from all representative cricket by the Chairman of Disciplinary Panel, Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan, for his two breaches of PCB's anti corruption code. These breaches correspond to Akmal not reporting two separate corrupt approaches ahead of PSL 2020.

The decision was formally revealed by the PCB on Monday following the hearing with the panel at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. Akmal, who chose to represent himself at the hearing and sought to justify his actions during the hour-long hearing, has 14 down as per clause 37 of PCB's constitution to appeal against the verdict, in which case an independent adjudicator will hear his plea.

"The PCB doesn't take any pleasure in seeing a promising international cricketer being declared ineligible for three years on corruption charges, but this is once again a timely reminder to all who think they can get away by breaching the anti-corruption code," said PCB Director - Anti-Corruption and Security, Lt Col Asif Mahmood.

"The anti-corruption unit regularly holds education seminars and refresher courses at all levels to remind all professional cricketers of their obligations and responsibilities. And even then if some cricketers decide to take the Code in their hands, then this is how things will pan out.

"I request all professional cricketers to stay away from the menace of corruption and immediately inform relevant authorities as soon as they are approached. This is in their as well as their teams' and country's best interest."

Akmal, 29, was provisionally suspended on February 17 when he was withdrawn from PSL 2020 and later formally charged by the PCB on March 20 for breaches of Article 2.4.4 which deals with "Failing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code".

His case was transferred to the Disciplinary Panel after he opted against contesting the charges before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal. His decision to forego a challenge, effectively left him having to accept the sanctions of Justice Chauhan, which, as per the code, could have ranged anything from a six-month suspension to a life-time ban.

The three-year ban is a latest in a series of missteps that have derailed Umar Akmal's once promising career. Just before the corruption allegations surfaced in February, Akmal was alleged to have behaved inappropriately with a staff at a failed fitness test. However, the PCB put the incident down to a "misunderstanding" after an inquiry.

Umar Akmal's timeline of trouble

Apr 2020 - Banned for three years for failing to report corrupt approaches

Feb 2020 - Reprimanded for inappropriate behaviour at fitness Test

Apr 2019 - Fined for breaking team curfew in Dubai during series versus Australia

Jun 2018 - Served notice to explain his comments on a television show about spot-fixing requests

Sep 2017 - Banned for his outburst on former coach Mickey Arthur, his NOCs to play foreign leagues revoked

May 2017 - Recalled from England ahead of the Champions Trophy for failing fitness Test

May 2016 - Left out of the England tour along with Ahmed Shehzad on disciplinary grounds

Jan 2016 - Banned for a T20I against New Zealand for misconduct

Nov 2015 - Left out of England T20Is for "bringing PCB into disrepute" after reportedly attending a party without permission

Feb 2014 - Charged by Lahore police for allegedly misbehaving with warden after committing a traffic violation

Oct 2012 - Fined for ignoring umpires while going for a change of gloves in a T20 against Sri Lanka

Jun 2011 - Issued show-cause notice for giving unauthorized interviews to television media

© Cricbuzz

TAGS