PCB to appeal to Court of Arbitration for Sport over halving of Umar Akmal ban

Akmal, who last represented his country in 2019, was handed a three-year suspension after being charged with two counts of failing to report illicit approaches, but then saw his suspension reduced to 18 months

The Pakistan Cricket Board will appeal a decision to half Umar Akmal’s three-year ban with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Akmal, who last represented his country in 2019, was handed a three-year suspension after being charged with two counts of failing to report illicit approaches, a breach of the ICC's anti-corruption code of conduct.

However, that sanction was reduced to 18 months by an independent adjudicator on compassionate grounds.

Yet, a statement from the PCB has confirmed the national governing body’s desire to challenge that ruling.

“The PCB takes matters relating to anti-corruption very seriously and firmly maintains a zero-tolerance approach,” it read.

“The PCB believes a senior cricketer like Umar Akmal was aware of the consequences when, after having attended a number of anti-corruption lectures at domestic and international level, having witnessed the consequences of indulging in corrupt conduct, still failed to report the approaches to the relevant authorities.

“The PCB doesn’t take any pride in seeing a cricketer of Umar’s stature being banned for corruption, but as a credible and respectable institution, we need to send out a loud and clear message to all our stakeholders that there will be no sympathy whatsoever for anyone who breaches the regulations.

 “The PCB, in its commitment and drive against corruption in sports, has already submitted a draft proposal with the relevant government authorities around legislation on criminalising corruption in sports and has also reviewed the existing legislation enacted within Pakistan whilst noting that the same fail to adequately target and address corruption/illegal manipulation in sports.

“In the draft paper, the PCB has proposed severe sanctions pertaining to corruption, illegal manipulation, betting, match and spot-fixing as well as aiding and abetting such conduct; and proposes the penalties to be imposed on individuals found guilty of engaging in such offences.”

As it stands, Akmal will be eligible to return to the game in August 21, though when his ban was half he still reaffirmed his intention to fight the case 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,” he said.

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