Pakistan’s Umar Akmal Pays PKR 4.5 Million Fine To PCB
Umar Akmal, who was banned in February last year for breaching anti-corruption code of the PCB, will join a Pakistan Cricket Board anti-corruption rehabilitation program before returning to play competitive cricket.
Controversial Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has paid a hefty fine of 4.5 million rupees to PCB for making himself eligible to join the anti-corruption rehabilitation program of the cricket board.
The fine was imposed on Umar Akmal in February by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) while disposing off the cases filed by Umar Akmal and the PCB.
A Pakistan Cricket Board official was quoted as saying by the PTI that Umar, despite paying the fine might not be able to return to competitive action immediately.
Since Umar had already served the 12-month ban after being suspended from February 2020, he was eligible to return to cricket after paying the fine.
“Umar has deposited the full amount of 4.5 million rupees with the board which means he is now eligible to start the rehab program of the Anti-Corruption code of the board,” the source said.
“But practically it will take some time before Akmal can resume his cricket career as his rehab program will take some time since the anti-corruption unit of the PCB is presently busy with the Pakistan Super League matches to be held in Abu Dhabi next month,” the source said.
Earlier, Akmal had requested the board in an application that due to the imposed ban, he was not in a financially strong position and be allowed to pay the fine installments.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rejected Umar’s request and asked him to pay the full fine or he would not be able to start his rehabilitation program as per the Anti-Corruption code.
In light of the controversy, Umar’s brother Kamran Akmal had offered to pay the fine on his behalf as well.
The 30-year-old has not played for Pakistan since November, 2019. He last featured in a T20 series at Lahore against Sri Lanka while his last Test appearance for his country was way back in late 2011 while his last ODI series was in March-April 2019 against Australia.
