By Muhammad Luqman
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a three-match, international or domestic, ban on Umar Akmal for for an outburst aimed at head coach Mickey Arthur.
The batsman will also have to pay a fine of Rs 1 million.
The 27-year-old last month went public with his grievances against Arthur, claiming on national media that the South African had verbally abused him and barred him from using National Cricket Academy facilities.
His vitriolic outburst forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to form an inquiry committee, which questioned Akmal, chief selector Inzamamul Haq – in whose presence the alleged incident took place – as well as batting coach Grant Flower and Arthur himself.
In the light of their findings, the committee recommended a three-match ban for Akmal, which was ratified by PCB chairman Najam Sethi.
Since Akmal is already out of the national side, the ban will likely be served in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy where he plays for United Bank Limited (UBL).
Earlier, former Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis had advised the PCB against forming an inquiry committee but instead direct Akmal to play domestic cricket for a year before attempting a comeback to international cricket.
