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Umar Akmal pays PKR 4.5 million fine to PCB, could rejoin professional cricket

Pakistan’s controversial kid Umar Akmal, after several attempts to get any rebate in paying his 4.5 Million Pakistani Rupees fine to the Pakistan Cricket Board for breaching the anti-corruption code, has finally submitted the amount in total. With this, the Lahore born would now be able to join PCB’s Anti-Corruption rehabilitation program and get back to professional cricket.

Earlier in February this year, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) had shortened his 18-month ban, imposed on him by PCB in February 2020, to just 12 months on the condition that he paid PKR 4.5 Million to the board.

"Umar has deposited the full amount of 4.5 million rupees with the board which means he is now eligible to start the rehab program of the Anti-Corruption code of the board," a source close to PCB was quoted as saying by Cricket.com

However, the junior Akmal who celebrates his 31st birthday today, May 26, would have to wait sometime before he begins to play professionally. "Practically it will take some time before Akmal can resume his cricket career as his rehab program would take a while to be completed as the anti-corruption unit of the PCB is presently busy with the Pakistan Super League matches to be held in Abu Dhabi next month," the source revealed. 

Umar, who debuted in 2009, has so far played 221 matches for Pakistan, scoring 7887 runs across all formats.

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If I stood up against racism then, I wouldn’t have been a successful cricketer: Michael Holding

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Henry Nicholls rates Indian trio of Ishant, Bumrah, Shami on par with Southee, Boult and Wagner trio

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Will Young discusses 'batsmanship' with Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor ahead of England Tests

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