Umar Akmal‘s ban reduced to 18 months

The independent adjudicator of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced its decision on corruption charges involving Umar Akmal and reduced his three-year ban to 18-months.

Former Supreme Court judge Justice Faqir Muhammad Khokhar (retd), in his capacity as an independent adjudicator, gave his decision on middle-order batsman’s appeal after listening to the arguments of both sides.

The 30-year-old had been handed three-year ban from all cricket, by Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel Justice Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan (retired), back in April this year — after he was charged for two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents.

Akmal was not entirely satisfied with the decision despite the reduction in his ban as he would try to get further exemption for the suspension.

“I’m not satisfied with the decision because other players, who committed a similar offence, were banned for a lesser period. I will consult my legal team before challenging this decision on another forum,” said Akmal.

The right-handed batsman was provisionally suspended on February 20, 2020, just before the beginning of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season five.

Akmal will be eligible to play cricket again from August 19, 2021.