LAHORE: Retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Faqir Muhammad Khokhar has been appointed as an independent adjudicator to hear Umar Akmal’s appeal against his three-year ban for breaching the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two separate incidents.

An announcement of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday said: “The independent adjudicator will now decide on the date of the appeal hearing. As soon as this is confirmed, the PCB will make the announcement.”

Umar was penalised for his act of not reporting to the PCB Anti-corruption unit about his two meetings held with the corrupt mafia who tried to get him involved into match-fixing practice on the eve of the launch of the fifth edition of Pakistan Super League.

Upon receiving these reports, the PCB sidelined Umar from PSL V on Feb 20. Umar was to represent Quetta Gladiators, the defending champion of the fourth edition of PSL.

Later the PCB charged Umar Akmal on March 17 and appointed a tribunal which declared Umar as guilty and penalised him by imposing a three- year suspension from all levels of cricket.

Umar had appealed against the verdict later in May which will now be heard by the independent adjudicator.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2020