Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has apologized for not reporting corrupt links last year, for which the 31-year-old was banned for 12 months.
“Seventeen months ago, I made a mistake that damaged my cricket and career. I learned a lot during this and that mistake caused a lot of damage to the reputation of Pakistan cricket. I apologize to the PCB and cricket fans around the world ,” Akmal said in a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday.
Akmal admitted that the period was “very difficult for him”.
“Some people contacted me but I could not report it to the Anti-Corruption Unit, due to which I faced a 12-month ban. Despite being a cricketer, I could not play cricket. I learned a lot during this time and today I accept in front of all of you that that mistake brought disrepute to Pakistan cricket.”
The right-handed batsman was banned in February 2020 for failure to report fixing-related approaches just before the start of the fifth season of the Pakistan Super League.
After apologizing to his family, PCB and cricket fans, Akmal had a message for the cricketers.
“I, Umar Akmal, would like to request all of you, as ambassadors of sports, to stay away from any suspicious activities. If any suspicious person contacts you, please report it to the Anti-Corruption Unit in time to keep your record and career clean.”
In April 2020, the PCB’s Disciplinary Panel found Akmal guilty of two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code. Because of this he was banned for three years. In July, on Akmal’s appeal, an independent adjudicator reduced the period to 18 months.
In February this year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the ban to 12 months and reduced the fine from 12 million to 4.5 million PAK.
Akmal will now be eligible to return to the game after the PCB completes the rehabilitation program. His last appearance for Pakistan was in November 2019.
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