Batsman for the Pakistan team, Umar Akmal, has been handed a three-year ban from all cricket activities after he was found guilty by the security and anti-corruption unit of the Pakistan Cricket Board, on Monday, for breaching the anti-corruption code.

Akmal was charged with two incidents, unrelated, that happened on the 20th of March. He was first suspended back in February before the 2020 Pakistan Super League was to commence. In March, he was charged with breaching Article 2.4.4 of the anti-corruption code of the PCB.

The article states “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”. He was said to have failed to report corrupt practices.

In his defense, on Monday, representing himself, he said that he had failed to do so because he felt the reasons were not worthy enough to be reported to the board. Although he accepted the two incidents he was accused of. The board had questioned meetings he had with some people and the nature of the conversation.

Following the sentence, Lt Col Asif Mahmood, director of the anti-corruption and security unit 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.”

He then appealed to all professional cricketers to stay out of corrupt practices and to be cooperative with authorities when summoned.

This is just the latest in a series of setbacks that have affected the career of the cricketer. Akmal was banned for three matches in 2017 for the words he used against his then coach, Mickey Arthur. He took a break and returned in 2019 where he was fined, in April, for breaking curfew.

Written by: Leon Osamor