Umar Akmal dissatisfied despite reduction of ban period, wants it shortened further 

An independent adjudicator appointed by Pakistan Cricket Board halved Umar's ban period.

By Kashish Chadha - 29 Jul, 2020

Even though former Pakistan supreme court judge and independent adjudicator, Faqir Mohammad Khokhar, halved Umar Akmal's three-year ban after an appeal in the case involving breach of anti-corruption code, the batsman himself wasn't as satisfied and wanted a further reduction in the punishment. 

Pleading guilty in April to a charge of failing to report two match-fixing approaches and received a three-year ban for each offence, Umar was banned for three years by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). 

Read Also: Zulqarnain Haider blames Umar Akmal for his disappearing act in 2010

The nation's cricket governing body's anti-corruption code makes it necessary for all players to report any corrupt approach to the authorities.

However, the initial punishment handed out was appealed against by the player, which led to the appointment of an independent adjudicator in the matter. The former supreme court judge, Faqir Mohammad, then asked the PCB to reduce the period of ban to 1.5 years, instead of three, on Wednesday (July 29). 

Umar, though, told reporters: "I am still not satisfied because other players got less punishment on the same charge", referring to a one-year ban (six months suspended) that fast bowler Mohammad Irfan was handed out in 2017. 

Unlike Umar, Irfan had not contested the charge of failing to report the approach and was given an "agreed sanction".

"I will consult my lawyers and then try to get it reduced further," added Umar. 

In a career far from a case of fulfilled potential and marred by one controversy after another, Umar, 30, has played 16 Tests, 121 ODIs and 84 T20Is for Pakistan. 

(Inputs from AFP)

By Kashish Chadha - 29 Jul, 2020

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