Pakistan's Umar Akmal has been banned from every format of cricket for a period of three years. On April 27, 2020, the PCB confirmed the news on Twitter, stating that the ruling was issued by the Disciplinary Panel's Chairman, Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan. The 29-year-old batsman was found to have violated regulations regarding spot-fixing while playing for the team.
The Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has been issued with the ban from playing any cricket formats for 3 years. On Monday, 27th April 2020, the Pakistan Cricket Board had officially posted the message on twitter quoting, “Umar Akmal handed three-years ban from all cricket by Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel Mr. Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan.” The 29 years Pakistan batsman is accused with two charges in the cricket by the sport’s disciplinary panel against the spot-fixing when being an active player in the team.
The investigation revealed that Akmal engaged in anti-corruption breaches during the Pakistan Super League and neglected to report attempts to influence the game. Despite initial attempts to explain his behavior to the Disciplinary Panel, Akmal ultimately confessed to the misconduct. By admitting his mistakes and waiving his right to appeal, he accepted the inevitable three-year ban from all professional cricket. This disciplinary action, rooted in the violation of Anti-Corruption article 2.4.4, was announced on February 20, 2020. His last outings for the squad were in October against Sri Lanka in T20is, matches in which he failed to perform.
Asif Mahmood, the PCB’s Director of Anti-Corruption, expressed his disappointment over seeing a talented athlete fall into such a trap. However, Mahmood emphasized that this strict penalty serves as a necessary warning to other players who might think they can circumvent the rules without consequence.