PCB banned Umar Akmal from all cricket for three years, cricket fraternity reacts on Ban
Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel, Mr. Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan, in short order on Monday (April 27), handed Umar Akmal a three-year ban from all form of cricket (International, Domestic). The PCB will release reasons as soon as it receives them from Justice Chauhan. Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman Umar Akmal banned for three years for failing to ‘report corrupt approaches’ ahead of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020.
In a detailed hearing held at the National Cricket Academy, Umar Akmal decided to represent himself and was heard at length, while the PCB was represented by Mr. Taffazul Rizvi.
Umar Akmal was charged with two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents on 17 March. On 9 April, the PCB referred the matter to Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee after determining that the batsman had not requested a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal.
PCB Director – Anti-Corruption and Security, Lt Col Asif Mahmood, said: “The PCB doesn’t take any pleasure in seeing a promising international cricketer being declared ineligible for three years on corruption charges, but this is once again a timely reminder to all who think they can get away by breaching the anti-corruption code.
“The anti-corruption unit regularly holds educational seminars and refresher courses at all levels to remind all professional cricketers of their obligations and responsibilities. And even then if some cricketers decide to take the Code in their hands, then this is how things will pan out.
“I request all professional cricketers to stay away from the menace of corruption and immediately inform relevant authorities as soon as they are approached. This is in their as well as their teams’ and country’s best interest.”
Notes to Editors:
- Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code reads as: “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”.
- Article 4.8.1 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code reads as: “In such circumstances, a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal shall not be required. Instead, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel (sitting alone) shall issue a public decision confirming the offense (s) under this Anti-Corruption Code specified in the Notice of Charge and the imposition of an applicable sanction within the range specified in the Notice of Charge. Before issuing that public decision, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel will provide written notice of that decision to the National Cricket Federation to which the Participant is affiliated, the PCB Vigilance and Security Department, and the ICC.”
- According to Article 6.2, the range of permissible period of ineligibility for those charged and found guilty under Article 2.4.4 is a minimum of six (6) months and a maximum of a lifetime.
- Umar Akmal was issued a Notice of Charge by PCB under the PCB Anti-Corruption Code (the “Code”) on Tuesday, 17 March, and he had responded within the stipulated deadline.
- Umar Akmal was provisionally suspended on 20 February 2020.
On April 27, PCB banned Umar Akmal from from all form of cricket for three years.
On April 09, After determining that Umar Akmal has not requested a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal, the Pakistan Cricket Board has referred the matter to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel, Mr. Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan, former Lahore High Court Judge.
On March 31, The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that it has received Umar Akmal’s response to the Notice of Charge, which was issued on 17 March for two violations of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in unrelated incidents.
On February 20, The Pakistan Cricket Board suspended Umar Akmal with immediate effect under Article 4.7.1 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code, which means he cannot take part in any cricket-related activity pending the investigation being carried out by PCB’s Anti-Corruption Unit.
Ramiz Raja Tweeted
- So Umar Akmal officially makes it to the list of idiots, Banned for 3 years. What a waste of a talent. It’s high time that Pakistan moved towards passing a legislative law against match fixing. Behind bars is where such jack asses belong. Otherwise brave for more.
Harsha Bhogle also Tweeted
- To our east and to our west, I saw two extraordinary talents. Mohd Ashraful and Umar Akmal. It is who you are and what you make of your talent that determines how far you go. Talent by itself is so so inadequate.
Former legend batsmen Zaheer Abbas and Javed Miandad also backed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decision to ban Umar Akmal for three years over corruption charges.
Abbas also hit out at Umar Akmal:
- Abbas said that the hard-hitting batsman might not get an opportunity to represent Pakistan again. I think his international career is all but over. He deserved punishment. He wasn’t a junior player. He was playing for Pakistan for a long time.
- He must have been told by the PCB about the ICC Anti-Corruption rules many times: what to do when a corrupt approach is made. But he was ignoring it. PCB got to know that somebody (a corruptor) was trying to get hold of Umar. Later on, he confessed, but it was too late. How can you say he is a great talent when he isn’t following the rules? If you aren’t following the rules, then you aren’t a great player.
Miandad via YouTube video also requested the youngsters to learn from Akmal’s mistakes:
- He was a very good cricketer but he got involved in unnecessary controversies. I had told him many times to change himself but he didn’t listen to anyone. Today, the result is in front of everyone, he got banned for three years, I would like to request youngsters, please don’t put yourself into such things. It will ruin your careers for sure.
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