LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board has formally charged discarded Test batsman Umar Akmal for breaching its anti-corruption code, according to an announcement made by the PCB.

Right-handed Umar, 29, was charged on March 17, and will have to submit his response by March 31.

According to the PCB, Umar has breached the article 2.4.4 which narrates: “Failing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code.”

The PCB further said: “Umar Akmal was issued the Notice of Charge on Tuesday, March 17, and has 14 days [March 31, 2020] to respond in writing to the charge.

“According to Article 6.2, the range of permissible period of ineligibility for those charged and found guilty for a violation of Article 2.4.4 is a minimum of six months and a maximum of a lifetime.”

Umar was provisionally suspended on Feb 20, the day when the fifth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League was started in Karachi.

But in a sudden development on the night between Feb 19 and 20, Umar, who was to represent defending champions Quetta Gladiators in the PSL, was reported for breaching the code of conduct and after initial inquiry he was sidelined from the league.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2020