Pakistan’s controversial batsman Umar Akmal is now eligible to join Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) anti-corruption rehabilitation program after paying a hefty fine of 4.5 million Pakistani rupees to the board.

The PCB Anti-Corruption Code had prescribed a rehabilitation program to Akmal along with the hefty fine of PKR 4.5 million imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after his initial ban of three years was reduced to 18 months for breaching PCB's anti-corruption code in April 2020.

Well, the right-hander has now reportedly paid the fine to the PCB, which entitles him to join the Anti-Corruption rehabilitation program of the Pakistan board and if everything goes fine, then the cricketer will be soon sport the Pakistan colors one again.

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Notably, the Chairman Disciplinary Panel found the 31-year-old guilty on two charges of separate breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents, including not reporting spot-fixing approaches by the bookies, ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) last year.

The source revealed, “Umar has deposited the full amount of 4.5 million rupees with the board which means he is now eligible to start the rehab program of the Anti-Corruption code of the board.”

He continued, “But practically it will take some time before Akmal can resume his cricket career as his rehab program will take some time since the anti-corruption unit of the PCB is presently busy with the Pakistan Super League matches to be held in Abu Dhabi next month.”

Noteworthy, Akmal has not played for Pakistan since November 2019 when he last appeared in a T20 series at Lahore against Sri Lanka. He last played a Test match for his country back in late 2011 while his last ODI series was in March-April 2019 against Australia.

(With PTI Inputs)