Pakistan's Umar Akmal pays PKR 4.5 million fine, to begin comeback route with anti-corruption rehab program

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.

Tainted Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal paid the hefty fine of PKR 4.5 million to Pakistan Cricket Board making himself eligible to join the anti-corruption rehabilitation program of the cricket board. Umar Akmal, who last played for Pakistan in 2019, was banned for 18 months by PCB for breaching its anti-corruption code. The Court of Arbitration of Sport had reduced hi ban to 12 months but directed him to pay the fine. A Pakistan Cricket Board official was quoted as saying by the PTI that Umar might not be able to return to competitive action immediately despite paying the fine. 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.