I like parties: Umar Akmal hints at conspiracy in alleged spot-fixing case

Pakistan middle-order batsman Umar has hinted at a conspiracy against him, after being suspended and charged by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in an alleged spot-fixing case. 

The PCB had charged Umar Akmal with two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents.

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”.

According to sources close to the matter, Akmal is adamant that he did not do anything wrong and considers the case as a conspiracy against him. He denied any involvement in spot-fixing matches, when questioned by Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) officials.

The source further said that ACU officials had, earlier, claimed that they had concrete evidence against Akmal, which included his phone call records, but they failed to present it during the investigation. They only banked on a report by an investigation agency related to the Pakistan cricketer. 

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Meanwhile, regarding meeting with suspicious individuals, Akmal also said that he interacts with a lot of people as he likes going to parties. He added that these people take pictures with me but that does not mean that I know all of them.

When enquired further, Akmal admitted that he met some of them due to personal reasons and gave details about it to the investigating officers.    

According to 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, which is more likely because Akmal has decided against challenging the charge sheet, and a maximum of a lifetime.

Umar Akmal was provisionally suspended on February 20, 2020, just before the beginning of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season five.