Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended Umar Akmal with immediate effect while an ongoing investigation is being carried out by the Anti-Corruption Unit.
Aside from citing Article 4.7.1 of the Anti-Corruption Code from its press release on February 20th, the board did not provide any further details behind the Quetta Gladiators batsman’s suspension because of the pending case.
The suspension amid claims that he failed to report a spot-fixing approach adds up to Akmal’s constant run-ins with the cricket authorities. Earlier this month, he was reprimanded after his latest transgression for allegedly exposing himself and making crude remarks to a trainer after failing a skin-fold test at Pakistan’s National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
However, he was let-off by PCB, stating that he ‘offered his regrets.’ Furthermore, the board has ‘reminded him of his responsibilities as a senior cricketer.’
The board’s most recent decision revokes the 29-year-old player’s plans on being a part of Quetta Gladiators’ title defence in the latest season of Pakistan Super League. The team has been allowed to seek a replacement.
Quetta has turned to Anwar Ali to fill in Akmal’s place. Ali holds 191 runs and 23 wickets in 32 appearances. Linking up with the team as a Silver Category player, this 32-year-old allrounder was a part of the Quetta squad in all the previous editions of the PSL.
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