Umar Akmal scandal: PCB submits matter to Chairman Dispensary Committee

After Umar Akmal did not seek a hearing before Anti-Corruption Tribunal. The Pakistan Cricket Board has handed over the middle-order batsman to the Chairman Disciplinary Panel.

Umar Akmal, who was suspended before the start of the fifth season of the Pakistan Super League, was charged twice for violating the board's anti-corruption code.

Umar Akmal was asked to respond within 14 days on the matter, to which the middle-order batsman also submitted a reply.

Pakistan Cricket Board has referred the matter to Fazal Meran Chauhan, chairman of the Dispensary Court and former Lahore High Court judge after Umar Akmal did not request a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal.

According to a statement issued by the PCB, the board made this decision after reviewing all the contents of Umar Akmal's reply in which the PCB did not make a written request for hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal under the Anti-Corruption Code.

Under Article 4.8.1 of the Code, the Chairman Disciplinary Panel will now issue a notice of restriction confirming the specific offenses in the Notice of Charge.

The PCB will not comment further on the matter until a decision is made by the Chairman Dispensary Panel.

It is important to note that this article does not (without any unnecessary delay) inform PCB Vigilance and Security Department of any corruption offer on behalf of any person.

Article 4.8.1 does not require a hearing in the Anti-Corruption Tribunal in these circumstances, but instead, the Chairman of the Dispensary Panel will issue a public verdict after reviewing the notice of charge in which the offense will be affirmed.

Prior to the issuance of this decision, the Chairman Dispensary Panel will issue written notices to the National Cricket Federation, the concerned party, the PCB's Vigilance and Security Department and the ICC.

Under Article 6.2, a conviction for a violation of Article 2.4.4 may be punishable by up to 2 months of imprisonment.

Umar Akmal was supposed to represent Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League but his suspension was banned from participating in all cricket matches, including his league.