Pakistan’s middle-order batsman Umar Akmal is excited ahead of his return to domestic cricket for the upcoming season.

Akmal was named in Central Punjab’s side for the 2021-22 season and will join the squad for the pre-season camp at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground on Sunday.

“I’m really happy to be back in domestic cricket. I will try to perform to the best of my ability and hopefully make a comeback in the national side,” said Akmal while talking to Cricket Pakistan.

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Earlier, Akmal had been allowed to resume club cricket activities as part of his rehabilitation process.

According to the PCB, in the processes completed to date, Akmal had shown remorse, attended an anti-corruption lecture and participated in a Q&A session conducted by the Security and Anti-Corruption Department.

In July this year, Akmal had rendered a public apology for failing to report a fixing approach. 

It must be noted that, on 27 April 2020, the Chairman Disciplinary Panel had found Akmal guilty on two charges of separate breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents and handed a three-year suspension with the periods of ineligibility to run concurrently.

Akmal exercised his right of appeal and on 29 July 2020, an Independent Adjudicator modified the sentence and reduced the ineligibility period to 18 months.

The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) then reduced the ban, from 18 to 12 months, on Akmal. However, a fine of PKR 4.25million was imposed on the right-hander.