Relief for Pak batsman Umar Akmal, Ban of 3 years reduced by half

Islamabad: Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal's ban over corruption charges has been lessened to 18 months by an independent adjudicator. The middle-order batsman had submitted an appeal against his three-year ban imposed on him by a PCB disciplinary committee in April 2020. 

He was banned for three years after board found him guilty of breaching Article 2.4.4 of the Anti-Corruption Code.

Tayyab Rizvi, counsel of Akmal said that they were "grateful to the independent adjudicator for granting them relief" but that the decision was "not what they had thought [it would be]". "The punishment can be reduced further," he told Dawn.

Akmal said that he would try to get the ban reduced further."I'm not satisfied with the decision because other players, who committed a similar offence, were banned for a lesser period. I will consult my legal team before challenging this decision on another forum," said Akmal.

The 29-year-old will take the field from August 19, 2021. Akmal has represented the national team in 157 ODIs, 58 T20s, and 53 Tests. His last stint for his home team was in October 2019. (UNI)