Massive blow to Gladiators as PCB suspends Umar Akmal

• Quetta Gladiators to face Islamabad United in opening match of HBL PSL2020
• Akmal was suspended under Article 4.7.1 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code.
• The defending HBL PSL champions will be allowed to replace the 29-year-old.

Pakistan middle-order batsman Umar Akmal has been suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday for breaching the Anti-Corruption Code.

As per PCB, the 29-year-old was suspended 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.

The defending champions Quetta Gladiators will be allowed to apply for a replacement for Akmal. They will face two-time former winners Islamabad United in the opening match of HBL PSL 2020 at Karachi’s National Stadium today.

Article 4.7.1 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code

(a) the PCB decides to charge a Participant with an offence under this Anti-Corruption Code; or (b) the 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. Any decision to Provisionally Suspend the Participant will be communicated to the Participant in writing, with a copy sent at the same time to the ICC and, where applicable, the National Cricket Federation to which the Participant is affiliated.