Umar Akmal’s sentence reduced to 18 months

LAHORE (92 News) - Pakistan middle-order batsman Umar Akmal’s sentence over corruption charges has been reduced to 18 months by an independent adjudicator. Former Supreme Court judge Justice (retd) Faqir Muhammad Khokhar, in his capacity as an independent adjudicator, gave his decision on Umar Akmal’s appeal after listening to the arguments of both sides. Akmal had been banned for three years, from all cricket, by Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan, 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. 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. Earlier on April 27, PCB Disciplinary Panel chairman Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan, in a short order on Monday, handed Umar Akmal a three-year ban from all cricket. In a detailed hearing held at the National Cricket Academy, Umar Akmal decided to represent himself and was heard at length, while the PCB was represented by Taffazul Rizvi. Umar Akmal was charged with two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents on March 17. On April 9, 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.