Umar Akmal challenges his three-year corruption ban

Umar Akmal, the tainted 29-year-old Pakistan batsman, has decided to lodge a formal appeal against the three-year suspension meted out to him by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Justice (retd) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel, handed Akmal the ban on April 27 after he was found guilty of breaching the board’s code of conduct.

Akmal, who’s the younger brother of Kamran Akmal, will now need to appoint an independent adjudicator within 15 days as per clause 37 of the PCB’s constitution. The independent judge will be reviewing the case and the quantum of punishment. He was provisionally suspended on February 17 and was barred from playing for the Quetta Gladiators in the 2020 PSL.

Then on March 20, he was formally charged for breaching Article 2.4.4, which deals with “Failing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code”.

Umar Akmal not prepared to seek apology

Akmal didn’t contest the charges before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal. Subsequently, his case was transferred to the Disciplinary Panel. In the meantime, Justice Chauhan doesn’t seem to be keen on “mitigating the nature of the offence”.

“It appears that he [Umar Akmal] is not prepared to show remorse and seek apology, make admission that he failed to fulfill his responsibility under Anti-Corruption Code, Article 2.4.4, rather he tried to take refuge under the pretext that in the past whenever any such approaches were made, the matter was reported by him,” Justice Chauhan said in his remarks, quoted by Cricbuzz.

“As far as Charge No.1 is concerned, I do not see any circumstances to mitigate the nature of offence, particularly, when the participant has not cooperated with the PCB Vigilance and Security Department and the investigating team,” he added.

Akmal hasn’t played cricket in 2020 after last playing in the Quaid-e-Azam first-class tournament last year. He made a couple of comebacks for Pakistan in 2019, but couldn’t hold on to his spot. Earlier, Mickey Arthur, their former head coach, said that he would be surprised if Akmal makes a comeback for the national team in the future.