LAHORE: Controversial Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal was banned Monday from all forms of cricket for three years after pleading guilty to failing to report match-fixing approaches, the country’s cricket board announced.
Umar, who turns 30 in May, withdrew last month from challenging the charges.
Umar’s ban is effective from February 20, when he was provisionally suspended by the board under its anti-corruption code, which states a player must report being approached to fix games.
The decision was announced by a disciplinary committee after a brief hearing of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Umar burst onto the scene with a century in his first Test in 2009, but his career has been marred by disciplinary problems, resulting in various bans and fines.
He was arrested in February 2014 after a scuffle with a traffic warden who stopped him for a signal violation.
Umar last represented Pakistan in two Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka in Lahore last year, falling to first ball ducks on both occasions.
He has so far played 16 Tests, 121 one-day games and 84 Twenty20s for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Umar Akmal banned for three years: PCB
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Pakistan’s Umar Akmal banned for three years: PCB
- He was banned from all forms of cricket for three years after pleading guilty to failing to report match-fixing approaches
- Akmal was provisionally suspended by the board under its anti-corruption code
Saudi Arabia awards Pakistani army chief with King Abdulaziz Medal
- Medal recognizes Field Marshal Asim Munir’s efforts in strengthening Saudi-Pakistani friendship, advancing joint cooperation
- Munir reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to security, stability and prosperity of Saudi Arabia, says Pakistan military’s media wing
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman presented the King Abdulaziz Medal of the First Class to Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Sunday in a ceremony at his office in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The SPA said Munir was awarded the medal following a royal order from Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. The medal recognizes Munir’s distinguished efforts in strengthening Saudi-Pakistani friendship, advancing joint cooperation and developing relations between the two countries.
“Upon the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ directive, Minister of Defense decorates Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class,” the SPA wrote on social media platform X.
Munir’s meeting with Prince Khalid featured a review of historical ties, strategic defense cooperation between the two countries and discussions on promoting international peace and security.
Pakistan military’s media wing said the award also reflects Munir’s contributions toward regional peace and stability, including sustained collaboration in counter-terrorism and security.
“The conferment of the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class underscores the depth of Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations and the shared determination of both nations to further strengthen strategic cooperation in pursuit of regional and global peace,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan military’s media wing, said.
Munir thanked the Saudi leadership for the honor, describing it as a “reflection of the enduring bonds between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.”
“He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the security, stability and prosperity of the Kingdom,” the ISPR said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have eyed closer economic and defense ties in recent months. The two countries signed a historic strategic defense pact in September this year, according to which an attack on one country will be treated as an attack on both.
In October, Islamabad and Riyadh agreed to launch an Economic Cooperation Framework to expand bilateral trade and investment ties.
