PCB appoints former Pakistan SC judge to hear Umar Akmal's appeal against three-year ban 

Umar Akmal has been banned for three years by Pakistan Cricket Board.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday (May 31) confirmed the appointment of country's former supreme court judge, (retd) Faqir Muhammad Khokhar, as an independent adjudicator to hear Umar Akmal's appeal. 

The appeal, filed on May 19, has been made by the right-hand batsman against a three-year ban imposed on him recently for breaching the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two separate incidents.

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Akmal is seeking a reduction in the duration of the sanction. 

"The independent adjudicator will now decide on the date of the appeal hearing. As soon as this is confirmed, the PCB will make the announcement," said the board in a media release. 

As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, in accordance with PCB's code, the panel will not conduct a de novo (fresh) hearing and will limit itself to "a consideration of whether the decision being appealed was erroneous."

Akmal was charged for two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents.

The Article 2.4.4 of the PCB's Anti-Corruption Code reads: "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."

Akmal has played 16 Tests, 121 ODIs and 84 T20Is for Pakistan. 

(Inputs from ANI)