Wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal, who was once touted to be one of the most talented players in Pakistan, has almost ruined his international career himself with several controversies and now the latest 3 years ban by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could pose a serious threat to his career.
Earlier this week, the 29-year-old, who has played 16 Tests, 121 one-day internationals and 84 T20Is for Pakistan so far, has been banned from all forms of cricket for three years after he was found breaching PCB’s two anti-corruption code having failed to report details of corrupt approaches made to him.
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Akmal was provisionally suspended on February 20 before the start of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 where he was due to represent Quetta Gladiators.
Well, now the reports emerged that a part of Akmal’s three-year anti-corruption ban could be suspended when the judge heading the PCB’s disciplinary Panel gives out his detailed judgment soon.
A PCB source told Press Trust of India on Thursday (April 30), “People are jumping to conclusions about the three-year ban but the detailed order is yet to come out. Umar might eventually get a three-year ban with two years suspended or something like that.”
He further revealed that there are high chances that the judge will suspend most part of the ban, given his past record and the clauses under which he has been charged by the Anti-Corruption Unit.
The source signed off by saying, “Umar could get a suspended sentence in his three-year ban because this will also test him as an individual to see how he behaves and conducts himself in future. When the majority part of a ban is suspended, the player has to be careful with his behavior or he could end up being banned for the entire duration of the ban.”
Noteworthy, Umar has the right to challenge the decision in 14 days after he gets a copy of the detailed judgment, while his appeal will be heard by an independent adjudicator to be appointed by the PCB.
(With PTI Inputs)
