Umar Akmal eligible for rehabilitation program after paying a fine of PKR 42,50,000

The middle-order batsman Umar Akmal is now eligible to undergo a rehabilitation program prescribed by the PCB Anti-Corruption Code and if everything goes fine then the 31-year-old will be available to don the Pakistan colors soon. In April 2020, Akmal was found guilty for not reporting spot-fixing approaches by the bookies.

The Chairman Disciplinary Panel found the right-hander guilty on two charges of separate breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents. Akmal was initially handed a three-year suspension with periods of ineligibility to run concurrently.

However, in July 2020, the batsman exercised his right of appeal and an Independent Adjudicator modified the sentence and reduced the ineligibility period to 18 months. In addition, Akmal was asked to pay a hefty amount of PKR 42,50,000 as a fine to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

PCB also released an official statement regarding the matter as they urged the cricketers to abide by the rules and not indulge in any illegal activities. “The PCB once again urges and reminds all participants to abide by their duty and promptly report any approaches to the anti-corruption offices and help themselves as well as the anti-corruption unit’s effort to eliminate the anathema of fixing,” read a statement released by the PCB.

Umar Akmal paid the full fine to PCB on Tuesday

Earlier this year, Akmal presented the proposal of paying the entire fine in installments. The 30-year-old asserted that he is undergoing financial issues and won’t be able to pay the entire fee. However, after having a look at the accounts presented by the batter, the Pakistan Cricket Board rejected his plea.

It is now learned that Umar Akmal has paid the entire fine to the concerned authorities and is now eligible for the rehabilitation program. Though Akmal had paid the full amount, there will be a delay in the further process as the Pakistan Cricket Board officials are busy in preparations for hosting the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the first week of June.

Thus far in his cricket career, Umar Akmal has played 121 ODIs and 84 T20Is for Pakistan. While he scored 3194 runs in the ODI format, he also plundered 1690 runs in T20I cricket. At the age of 31, and with the kind of talent that he has, Akmal’s career is far from over.