Pakistan’s batsman Umar Akmal, in a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) video on Wednesday, rendered a public apology for failing to report a fixing approach.  

The 31-year-old, who received a 12-month ban as punishment, requested cricketers to report suspicious activities in a timely manner so that their career and record could remain clean.  

“My name is Umar Akmal. 17 months ago in 2020, I made a mistake that caused damage to both my career and cricket. The mistake happened when some individuals approached me and I could not report it to the anti-corruption unit on time. I had to face a 12-month ban because of this incident. As a cricketer, I could not play cricket. This time was really tough for me. I learned a lot during this time,” Akmal said.  

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“I admit in front of everyone today that this incident caused damage to Pakistan’s image. I apologise to my family, the PCB and cricket fans all around the world. I, Umar Akmal, would like to request all of you, as ambassadors of the sport, to stay away from any suspicious activities. If any suspicious individuals approach you, please report it to the anti-corruption unit in a timely manner so that your record and career remain clean,” he concluded. 

On 27 April 2020, the Chairman Disciplinary Panel had found Umar 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. 

Umar 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 Pakistan’s middle-order batsman Umar Akmal.