PCB refers Umar Akmal matter to Disciplinary Panel Chairman [Post #195]

[mahmed]

Umar has been very proactive in the past when it comes to reporting approaches.

He has reported approaches in the past.

It may have missed this time for some reason, it's not always easy when hundreds of people contact you on social media and phone, take selfies etc.

And benefit of the doubt should go to him.

Yes benefit of doubt should go to him after 2 years ban...... ????

 

[CricketingMinds]

Can we just scrap this ban? Does it really matter in this time and moment that the guy didn’t report an approach?

Can you elaborate on your request please? I'm curious to understand what exactly you are asking for and why

 

[Cric_lover4487]

Does that mean we have officially seen the end of Umar Akmal's international career?. He will comeback after ban and play PSL for rest of his career like Sharjeel?

 

[Titan24]

I guess rules are set by ICC. We dont know the extent of the issue which varies from case to case basis. If I am not wrong Mohammad Irfan was also given six months ban when he failed to report the approach.

 

[Hawkeye]

I guess rules are set by ICC. We dont know the extent of the issue which varies from case to case basis. If I am not wrong Mohammad Irfan was also given six months ban when he failed to report the approach.

Yeah but Umar has always been very cooperative in things like these.

Has reported stuff in the past.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

I congratulate PCB because they proactive and have 0 tolerance to corruption. Every year they catch few players involved and punish them. I find it hard to believe there is no one fixing matches in IPL, considering most of bookies are from India.

 

[Saj]

Hopefully this should mean Umar Akmal will never play for Pakistan again.

He's done.

At best he will be allowed to play domestic only.

 

[Hawkeye]

I congratulate PCB because they proactive and have 0 tolerance to corruption. Every year they catch few players involved and punish them. I find it hard to believe there is no one fixing matches in IPL, considering most of bookies are from India.

Umar wasn't fixing genius. Read it again.

 

[Forum363]

Yeah but Umar has always been very cooperative in things like these.

Has reported stuff in the past.

That is very true.

PCB should make an announcement that anyone who is proactive in reporting approaches and reaches a total of 5 reports, receives diplomatic immunity from any minor fixing charge.

Benefit of the doubt should go to Umar. He’s a celebrity, he must get hundreds of messages a day. At most, he should be reprimanded and not allowed to play cricket for the next 1 month and then immediately added to all squads as someone of his talent deserves.

 

[Hawkeye]

.receives diplomatic immunity from any minor fixing charge.

.

There's no fixing charge. It's failure to report an approach Einstein.

I agree that it's the wrong thing and approaches must be reported. But an year ban for it is too much and OTT.

2-4 months sounds good. Even 6 months at max.

 

[Forum363]

There's no fixing charge. It's failure to report an approach Einstein.

I agree that it's the wrong thing and approaches must be reported. But an year ban for it is too much and OTT.

2-4 months sounds good. Even 6 months at max.

It’s failure to report a bookie approach.

But anyway, I agree with you.

I almost got in trouble with the local corner shop for stealing a packet of quavers! But I explained to them how I’ve been coming to the shop for years and haven’t stolen anything. So the severity of my punishment should be less than otherwise. Thankfully they agreed.

 

[Hawkeye]

It’s failure to report a bookie approach.

But anyway, I agree with you.

I almost got in trouble with the local corner shop for stealing a packet of quavers! But I explained to them how I’ve been coming to the shop for years and haven’t stolen anything. So the severity of my punishment should be less than otherwise. Thankfully they agreed.

Again pulling out examples out of ignorance.

A better one would be, someone offered you to become a partner in that act, you refused, but then the owner comes after you for not informing him in advance of the theft.

 

[Saj]

The biggest problem Umar has this time around is that this is not the first time this has happened.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

He's done.

At best he will be allowed to play domestic only.

Like Salman and Asif.

 

[Hawkeye]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] waiting for your opinion.

 

[Junaids]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] waiting for your opinion.

I have a few thoughts.

The Kamran Akmal comments a couple of weeks ago made clear what had happened.

I was hoping that he was reasonably close to a Test recall - he’s still the second best red ball batsman after his cousin Babar Azam - but I fear that this has played into the hands of his detractors.

One thing I have noticed though. The charges are actually more severe than expected - I was expecting it to be Contact With a Bookmaker but it’s actually Failure to Report a Corrupt Approach.

That puts far more pressure on the PCB to come up with evidence of what was offered to him.

We saw with Sharjeel that the PCB upheld ludicrous charges without evidence because Sethi was the one who made the accusation. I don’t believe that under Wasim Khan a person would be found guilty of false charges to satisfy a political master.

So now it really depends upon how good a lawyer Umar Akmal retains. The charges are higher, but so is the burden of proof, and if the PCB has as little evidence as it did with Sharjeel (it’s own report admitted that it had zero evidence against him) then Umar Akmal might not be convicted.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

Umar wasn't fixing genius. Read it again.

I never claimed that he is a fixer. I am myself a big fan of Umar Akmal. I meant that PCB is proactive in taking actions to warn players every year. It sends a message to players that you are being watched.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Again pulling out examples out of ignorance.

A better one would be, someone offered you to become a partner in that act, you refused, but then the owner comes after you for not informing him in advance of the theft.

I appreciate that this thread is specifically about his corruption charges, but your defences of him indicate that you still hold hope of him representing Pakistan (or even his domestic side). Now, Umar has done ALOT to invite the scorn he does, so much that I can't be bothered to list out his misdemeanours. This article though, does a stellar job:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/19468967/the-highs-lows-umar-akmal-career

Anyhoo, I agree with [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] that Umar Akmal is the second most accomplished Test bat Pakistan has.

However, He has also consistently demonstrated character and decision making flaws (again, I direct you to read the article).

So if New Zealand, who had a much smaller talent pool at the time, can get rid of Jessie Ryder for doing far less, why shouldn't Pakistan cricket (both International and Domestic) do away with Umar?

 

[Hawkeye]

I appreciate that this thread is specifically about his corruption charges, but your defences of him indicate that you still hold hope of him representing Pakistan (or even his domestic side). Now, Umar has done ALOT to invite the scorn he does, so much that I can't be bothered to list out his misdemeanours. This article though, does a stellar job:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/19468967/the-highs-lows-umar-akmal-career

Anyhoo, I agree with [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] that Umar Akmal is the second most accomplished Test bat Pakistan has.

However, He has also consistently demonstrated character and decision making flaws (again, I direct you to read the article).

So if New Zealand, who had a much smaller talent pool at the time, can get rid of Jessie Ryder for doing far less, why shouldn't Pakistan cricket (both International and Domestic) do away with Umar?

No. I'm not defending him, if he has done it then he should be punished.

But the punishment for not reporting is extreme. It shouldn't be more than 6 months.

It can be increased if someone does it again.

 

[Hawkeye]

I have a few thoughts.

The Kamran Akmal comments a couple of weeks ago made clear what had happened.

I was hoping that he was reasonably close to a Test recall - he’s still the second best red ball batsman after his cousin Babar Azam - but I fear that this has played into the hands of his detractors.

One thing I have noticed though. The charges are actually more severe than expected - I was expecting it to be Contact With a Bookmaker but it’s actually Failure to Report a Corrupt Approach.

That puts far more pressure on the PCB to come up with evidence of what was offered to him.

We saw with Sharjeel that the PCB upheld ludicrous charges without evidence because Sethi was the one who made the accusation. I don’t believe that under Wasim Khan a person would be found guilty of false charges to satisfy a political master.

So now it really depends upon how good a lawyer Umar Akmal retains. The charges are higher, but so is the burden of proof, and if the PCB has as little evidence as it did with Sharjeel (it’s own report admitted that it had zero evidence against him) then Umar Akmal might not be convicted.

Thanks. Let's see.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

What happens when a player goes out for dinner with a bookie who introduced himself as a fan? He didn't discussed anything shady just normal chit chat.
I mean cricketers's lives are public, they meet and greet dozens of people everyday.

 

[Savak]

Apparently UA is not contesting the charges. He has been advised to do this to get the smallest possible sentence ie 6-12 months rather than 5 years to a life ban

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has decided against challenging the show cause notice issued to him by the Pakistan Cricket Board in which the governing body accused him of breaching the Anti-Corruption Code.

A source close to the batsman said he had submitted his reply to the show cause notice issued to him earlier this month and he had not challenged the charges against him. "Umar has not challenged the charges and admitted that he made a mistake in not following the adopted procedure in such cases," the source said.

The PCB Anti-Corruption officials had charged Umar with in two separate cases of not reporting an approach made to him to spot fix matches in the Pakistan Super League 5.

Umar, who was provisionally suspended on February 20 and barred from playing in the Pakistan Super League for his franchise Quetta Gladiators, has been charged for breaching Article 2.4.4 of PCB's Anti-Corruption Code.

"The code pertains to failing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitation received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under the Anti-Corruption Code,"

The Pakistan board had given Umar until March 31 to respond. According to the Anti-Corruption Code 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.

29-year-old Umar has had a chequered career since making his debut in August, 2009 and has since just managed to play 16 Tests, 121 ODIs and 84 T20 internationals despite making a century on Test debut. His last appearance came in last October during a home T20 series against Sri Lanka.

Umar who has a penchant for getting into trouble with the establishment was reprimanded and cleared in February just before the PSL for allegedly misbehaving with a trainer during a fitness test in Lahore.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/sp...ice-on-breaching-anti-graft-rule-2123502.html

 

[gazza619]

When will the pain end for Akmal, his fans and his critics.

This circus that we call Umar Akmal’s career has gone on for too too long for my liking.

 

[Savak]

He is hoping that by not contesting the charges, the PCB will be lenient and at best just impose a 6 month sentence. I am certain his past disciplinary transgressions will be taken into account and the PCB will not let him off this lightly.

 

[gazza619]

He is hoping that by not contesting the charges, the PCB will be lenient and at best just impose a 6 month sentence. I am certain his past disciplinary transgressions will be taken into account and the PCB will not let him off this lightly.

I have a feeling that the writing is on the wall for his PSL career. Two reasons for it:
1. PCB has had enough
2. With Umar Akmal is any PSL team, parchis like Azam Khan would not make it in the eleven, so the very more reason that some people would block him coming back

 

[Hawkeye]

He is hoping that by not contesting the charges, the PCB will be lenient and at best just impose a 6 month sentence. I am certain his past disciplinary transgressions will be taken into account and the PCB will not let him off this lightly.

For something like this, 6 months should be the maximum anyway.

 

[Savak]

For something like this, 6 months should be the maximum anyway.

The problem is that he has gone through this before where he has not reported approaches in the past and the PCB and ICC anti corruption unit have approached him subsequently for details and he was not charged back then which means the PCB and the ICC let him off with a warning.

He knew his right and responsibilities and this is actually not his first mistake. That might make his punishment longer than the minimum of 6 months.

 

[MenInG]

PCB confirms receiving Umar Akmal’s response

Lahore, 31 March 2020:

The Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed it has received Umar Akmal’s response to the Notice of Charge, which was issued on 17 March for two violations of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in unrelated incidents.

The PCB will now review and examine Umar Akmal’s response and provide further details on the next steps in due course. Until that stage, the PCB will not make any further comments on this matter.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan’s head coach Misbah-ul-Haq on Tuesday urged troubled batsman Umar Akmal to discipline himself and focus on his cricket if he wants to revive his derailed career.

Regarded as hugely talented, the 29-year-old Umar could face up to a lifetime ban after he was charged for not reporting match fixing offers, which led to his suspension in February.

The Pakistan Cricket Board charged him under their anti-corruption code. His 14-day deadline to reply ends later Tuesday.

Head coach Misbah said Umar has to decide his own fate.

“You and I can’t do anything,” Misbah told media.

“Umar has to decide himself, show discipline and focus on his cricket.

“He has to take a decision whether he wants to remain like this... He has shown good performances but needs to improve his fitness, discipline and commitment.”

Umar started his career with a bang, scoring a century on his debut in New Zealand in 2009, but frequent disciplinary problems cost him a place on the national side.

He was also charged and arrested after a scuffle with a traffic warden in 2014.

Three years later he was sent back from England for being unfit.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...-umar-akmal/story-G5rUdLDu10kyNW2rzZ4h5N.html

 

[Hawkeye]

The problem is that he has gone through this before where he has not reported approaches in the past and the PCB and ICC anti corruption unit have approached him subsequently for details and he was not charged back then which means the PCB and the ICC let him off with a warning.

He knew his right and responsibilities and this is actually not his first mistake. That might make his punishment longer than the minimum of 6 months.

AFAIK he has reported a few such approaches in the past.

 

[sshakir411]

The world may change, but the Akmals won’t.

 

[Savak]

AFAIK he has reported a few such approaches in the past.

In tv interviews but not to the PCB before hand. Even if what you are saying is true, that makes his current predicament even worse because he has zero excuses for not reporting the current approach

 

[iniqbal223]

Pakistan’s head coach Misbah-ul-Haq on Tuesday urged troubled batsman Umar Akmal to discipline himself and focus on his cricket if he wants to revive his derailed career.

Regarded as hugely talented, the 29-year-old Umar could face up to a lifetime ban after he was charged for not reporting match fixing offers, which led to his suspension in February.

The Pakistan Cricket Board charged him under their anti-corruption code. His 14-day deadline to reply ends later Tuesday.

Head coach Misbah said Umar has to decide his own fate.

“You and I can’t do anything,” Misbah told media.

“Umar has to decide himself, show discipline and focus on his cricket.

“He has to take a decision whether he wants to remain like this... He has shown good performances but needs to improve his fitness, discipline and commitment.”

Umar started his career with a bang, scoring a century on his debut in New Zealand in 2009, but frequent disciplinary problems cost him a place on the national side.

He was also charged and arrested after a scuffle with a traffic warden in 2014.

Three years later he was sent back from England for being unfit.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...-umar-akmal/story-G5rUdLDu10kyNW2rzZ4h5N.html

Umar Ajmal case is like asking Google (please recruit me in your Mountain View Office in California) because I scored 95 / 100 marks in Maths 12 years back.. And Since I scored , I have talent..

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

PCB refers Umar Akmal matter to Disciplinary Panel Chairman

Lahore, 9 April 2020:

After determining that Umar Akmal has not requested for a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal, the Pakistan Cricket Board has referred the matter to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel, Mr Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan, former Lahore High Court Judge.

The PCB made the determination after examining the contents of Umar Akmal’s reply in which no written request for a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal had been made for the purposes of contesting liability or level of sanction or both as per Article 4.6.6 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code.

In accordance with the Article 4.8.1 of the Code, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel, shall now issue a public decision confirming the offences under the Code specified in the Notice of Charge and imposing applicable sanctions.

Until the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel has announced his decision, the PCB will not comment on the matter.

Points to note:

• Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code reads as: “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”.

• Article 4.8.1 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code reads as: “In such circumstances, a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal shall not be required. Instead, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel (sitting alone) shall issue a public decision confirming the offence(s) under this Anti-Corruption Code specified in the Notice of Charge and the imposition of an applicable sanction within the range specified in the Notice of Charge. Before issuing that public decision, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel will provide written notice of that decision to the National Cricket Federation to which the Participant is affiliated, the PCB Vigilance and Security Department and the ICC.”

• According to Article 6.2, the range of permissible period of ineligibility for those charged and found guilty under Article 2.4.4 is a minimum of six (6) months and a maximum of a lifetime.

• Umar Akmal was issued a Notice of Charge by PCB under the PCB Anti Corruption Code (the “Code”) on Tuesday, 17 March, and he had responded within the stipulated deadline.

• Umar Akmal was provisionally suspended on 20 February 2020.

 

[MenInG]

Quite why people think he still has a chance to make it back to the Pakistan side is beyond me. Its over now and PCB should have the courage to say so.

 

[Maher96]

The problem that lies within the Pakistani Cricket is that the Akmal’s are actually decent people who have invested immensely into cricket. Umar Akmal it never helped him having his brother being a household name in Pakistan Cricket and his arrival at the time added too much wings and unnecessary stardom.

He has been suspended for nearly 4 months already, this commission can only extend his ban to maximum up to a year as he was in the planning of fixing at most so let’s see what the outcome is going to be however during these times one can only presume even the most insane of the people could change.

 

[Forum363]

Any ban should exclude this lockdown/ no cricket period.

So if he is banned for a year, the time should start after cricket resumes, perhaps taking off a month for the initial PSL matches he missed as part of the investigation.

He certainly should not benefit from a period of global turmoil where no one can play cricket.

 

[Abdullah719]

Umar Akmal hearing set for 27 April

Lahore, 20 April 2020:

Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel Mr Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan has issued notices to Umar Akmal and PCB requiring their attendance for a hearing on Monday, 27 April.

The hearing is presently scheduled at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore. Safety precautions and social distancing measures will be strictly enforced in order to safeguard all those involved.

Umar Akmal had not requested for a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal after he was charged for two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents.

Until the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel has announced his public decision, the PCB will not comment on the matter.

• Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code reads as: “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”.

• Article 4.8.1 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code reads as: “In such circumstances, a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal shall not be required. Instead, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel (sitting alone) shall issue a public decision confirming the offence(s) under this Anti-Corruption Code specified in the Notice of Charge and the imposition of an applicable sanction within the range specified in the Notice of Charge. Before issuing that public decision, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel will provide written notice of that decision to the National Cricket Federation to which the Participant is affiliated, the PCB Vigilance and Security Department and the ICC.”

• According to Article 6.2, the range of permissible period of ineligibility for those charged and found guilty of an offence under Article 2.4.4 is a minimum of six (6) months and a maximum of a lifetime.

• Umar Akmal was issued a Notice of Charge by PCB under the PCB Anti-Corruption Code (the “Code”) on Tuesday, 17 March, and he had responded within the stipulated deadline.

• Umar Akmal was provisionally suspended on 20 February 2020.