Umar Akmal confesses meeting with a bookie: sources

LAHORE (92 News) – Umar Akmal, Pakistani batsman who suspened by PCB, confessed that a bookie approached him before the start of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 5) 2020 and offered him money for match-fixing. According to the sources, Umar Akmal admitted that he had been in contact with a person named Faisal and all arrangements regarding match-fixing. The sources revealed that he confessed this statement during the investigation with the Anti-Corruption Unit. Umar Akmal confessed that he was offered millions of rupees by a suspicious man he met in a private gathering. The man wanted him to fix matches of the PSL 2020. When he was asked that why did he not inform the board about the offer, Cricketer Umar Akmal said he was “perplexed and panicked”. Failing to report such an approach for match-fixing is considered an offence as per the ICC ACU. The sources also mentioned that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initially investigated Umar and later suspended him as per the Anti-Corruption Code of PCB. A day earlier, Umar Akmal has been ousted from the big event of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 after suspension by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday. According to the press release issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Umar Akmal 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. As this is an ongoing investigation, the PCB will not make any further comments. Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators are allowed to apply for Umar Akmal’s replacement in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020. The defending champions will take on two-time former winners Islamabad United in the opening match, which will commence later today at 9pm (PST). Notes to Editors: Article 4.7.1 read as: Where either (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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_nmA9Vpvxw