Umar Akmal banned for 3 games, slapped with a fine

Controversial Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal received bad news on Thursday as the PCB decided to ban him for 3 matches following his altercation with head coach Mickey Arthur. He was also slapped with a Rs 10 lac fine. The final reprimand, and probably the worst was that Akmal will not be granted with an NOC to appear in any of the international T20 leagues going around the world, according to the PCB Press Release.

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The 27-year old was sent back home from England just days before the start of the ICC Champions Trophy as he failed to clear a fitness test. Following that incident, Akmal had an argument with Arthur in the National Cricket Academy in Lahore when he wanted batting consultant Grant Flower to assist him. But since he wasn’t a part of the list of nationally contracted players, Arthur refused Flower to assist Akmal which led to the feud.

Akmal later launched an attack on Arthur during a press conference, alleging the coach of verbally abusing him and demanded an inquiry over the matter from the PCB. After the investigation, PCB sent a show cause notice to which Akmal responded. But as per the investigations of the PCB’s inquiry panel, Akmal was found guilty.

Akmal had already taken a U-turn

However, Akmal had already withdrawn his allegations saying that his statements against Arthur were a result of mental strain and duress but it was a little too late in the day for the right-handed batsman. His fitness has been a concern of late and his discipline has always been up and down. Mickey Arthur had warned the Pakistan players to work on their fitness if they want to figure in the national colors.

The action against him is harsh but PCB has made sure that they set an example. The Najam Sethi-panel are working really hard to bring international cricket back in the country and were successful in getting a World XI to tour the country earlier this month.