After his recovery next month, Umar Akmal will resume club cricket

• Umar Akmal was suspended by PCB because he did not disclose to the authorities that he had contact with gaming companies.
• PCB stated that Akmal’s rehabilitation program began last month.
• PCB stated that Umar Akmal expressed remorse, attended an anti-corruption seminar and participated in a question-and-answer session with the anti-corruption department.

Lahore: According to a statement from the board of directors on Wednesday, Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal has been allowed by the Pakistan Cricket Committee (PCB) to resume club cricket games.

“As part of the rehabilitation process that began last month, Umar Akmal has been allowed to resume club cricket activities,” PCB said.

PCB stated that the decision was made after Akmal expressed regret, attended an anti-corruption seminar, and participated in a question-and-answer session organized by the Ministry of Security and Anti-Corruption.

His rehabilitation plan is expected to end next month, after which he will be eligible to participate in the 2021-22 Pakistan domestic cricket season.

Omar Akmal apologizes

In a video message last month, the cricketer apologized to PCB and the fans because he did not report to PCB’s anti-corruption authorities that the gaming company approached him.

Akmal said in the statement: “Seventeen months ago, in 2020, I made a mistake that not only cost my career, but also my cricket.” “My. The mistake is that I did not notify the anti-corruption team in time, when some people [bookies] Come to me,” he added.

The batsman said he reflected on many things during the suspension and added that he has realized that his actions have brought shame to Pakistani cricket.

“For this, I apologize to my family, the Pakistan Cricket Committee and cricket fans around the world,” he said. “I, Umar Akmal, advise all of you, as cricket players, you are the ambassadors of your country. Therefore, keep your distance from any suspicious activity,” the batsman further said.

He urged other cricket players to report to PCB’s anti-corruption department as soon as possible when any suspicious persons approached, thus ending the video message.

Omar Akmal suspended for match-fixing

On April 27, 2020, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee ruled that Akmal violated the two allegations of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Law in two unrelated incidents, and was suspended for three years.

In an interview, Akmal revealed that after the repairman offered him $200,000 to leave him with two deliveries in one of the games, he was in trouble. He also claimed that he was offered money to skip the match against India.

“Someone once offered me $200,000 because I left two deliveries. I was also invited to skip the match with India,” he said in an interview.

The batsman also said that during the ICC World Cup, including the 2015 World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand, he was visited by regular personnel.

However, Akmal did not mention whether he reported the incident to the anti-corruption department.

According to ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code 2.4.4 and 2.4.5, players must report all corrupt actions taken against them in any incident, and if they fail to do so, they will face a minimum five-year penalty.

Akmal was suspended by the Pakistan Premier League (PSL) on February 2, 2020, and was accused of violating PCB’s Code of Conduct twice.