PSL 2020: Major blow for Quetta Gladiators as PCB bans Umar Akmal

Umar Akmal has been suspended under the Anti-Corruption Code by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday, a statement from the board said.

The 29-year-old batsman was suspended 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.

Earlier this month, reports of the batsman exposing himself during a skin-fold test had emerged. Akmal had exposed himself entirely during the skin-fold test, asking his trainer, “Where is the fat?”

His action was defended by his elder brother Kamran Akmal who termed the entire episode as nothing more than a “misunderstanding”, adding that Umar had done it in “mischief.”

Akmal was replaced by Anwar Ali. The 32-year-old comes in as a Silver category player having represented Gladiators in all previous editions. Ali has scored 191 runs and taking 23 wickets in his 32 appearances for the team.

The defending champions will take on two-time former winners Islamabad United in the opening match at Karachi’s National Stadium on Thursday.

Umar Akmal met suspicious people in Karachi: sources

Akmal had telephonic contact with suspicious people, sources informed Geo News, adding that he met them in Karachi.

The PCB's anti-corruption unit had earlier monitored activities of the hard-hitting batsman Akmal, said sources. They added that the 29-year-old did not inform anti-corruption officials about his contact with such people.

The PCB anti-corruption wing acted after obtaining concrete evidence against him and took both of Akmal's phones into custody.

Article 4.7.1 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code

(a) the PCB decides to charge a Participant with an offence under this Anti-Corruption Code; or (b) the PCB considers that there are other exceptional circumstances relevant to a Participant (for example, where any relevant police authority has arrested and/or charged a Participant with an offence under any relevant criminal law in respect of facts or circumstances that may also constitute an offence under this Anti-Corruption Code), it, shall have the discretion, in circumstances where it considers that the integrity of the sport could otherwise be seriously undermined, to Provisionally Suspend the Participant pending the Anti-Corruption Tribunal’s determination of whether he/she has committed an offence. Any decision to Provisionally Suspend the Participant will be communicated to the Participant in writing, with a copy sent at the same time to the ICC and, where applicable, the National Cricket Federation to which the Participant is affiliated.