Ramiz Raja slams Umar Akmal after three-year ban

• The cricketer was banned from all forms of the game for the period of three years.

Former Pakistan opening batsman turned commentator Ramiz Raja has slammed Umar Akmal following Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s Disciplinary Panel handed three-year ban to middle-order batsman.

The 29-year-old was banned from all forms of cricket for breaching Article 2.4.4 of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)'s Anti-Corruption code. He had failed to report approaches made to him by corrupts and was suspended just before the beginning of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season five.

In a frustrating tweet, Raja wrote: “So Umar Akmal officially makes it to the list of idiots! Banned for 3 years. What a waste of a talent! It’s high time that Pakistan moved towards passing a legislative law against match fixing. Behind bars is where such jack a**es belong! Otherwise brave for more!!” said Raja while showcasing his frustration in a tweet.

So Umar Akmal officially makes it to the list of idiots! Banned for 3 years. What a waste of a talent! It’s high time that Pakistan moved towards passing a legislative law against match fixing. Behind bars is where such jack asses belong! Otherwise brave for more!!

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) April 27, 2020

The batsman was charged with two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents on 17 March. On 9 April, the PCB referred the matter to Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee after determining that the batsman had not requested for a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal.

PCB Director – Anti-Corruption and Security, Lt Col Asif Mahmood, said: “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.

“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.

Akmal has featured in in 16 Tests, 121 One-day Internationals (ODIs) and 84 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), since making his debut in 2009.

His last appearance in Pakistan colours was in the T20I series against Sri Lanka in Lahore in 2019, where he made golden ducks on both occasions.