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Troubled cricketer Umar Akmal faces ban over corruption charges

Pakistan's perennial problem-maker Umar Akmal could face a lifetime ban if convicted of match-fixing charges unveiled on Friday (20) by Pakistan cricket authorities.

The 29-year-old old was provisionally suspended by the anti-corruption unit of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on February 20, the day when Pakistan Super League commenced in Karachi.


PCB said Umar violated its code on two counts.

"The PCB has charged Umar Akmal with two breaches of the anti-corruption code which relates to not reporting a fixing offer," said a PCB release.

Under the PCB anti-corruption code a player is required to immediately report to a team manager or the officials of the anti-corruption unit when he receives an offer to fix a match.

Under the code if a player is found guilty the penalty ranges from a suspension of six months to a lifetime ban, the release adds.

Umar has 14 days (till March 31) to respond to the charges in writing.

Umar has a history of disciplinary problems, having been arrested and detained for a day after a brawl with a traffic warden in 2014.

He was banned for three months after a spat with the then Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur in 2017.

Also, last month he escaped punishment after making rude remarks to a fitness trainer in Lahore.

Often described as a talented yet undisciplined cricketer, Umar has played 16 Tests, 121 one-day internationals and 84 Twenty20 internationals since his debut in 2009.

He last played for Pakistan in the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka four months ago, failing to score in both matches.

Umar's anti-corruption case is the latest of many that had hit Pakistan cricket in the last 20 years, resulting in life bans and fines on several players.

The PSL was hit by a spot-fixing case in 2017 when openers Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were banned for five years.

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Abaseen Foundation raises over £200,000 for North Pakistan's most deprived communities

From left -Helen Bingley, OBE, chief executive/founder, Abaseen Foundation, Stephen Hawkins, lord lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Diane Hawkins.

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Abaseen Foundation raises over £200,000 for North Pakistan's most deprived communities

Highlights

  • Abaseen Foundation raises over £200,000 at fundraising event attended by 400 guests in Stockport.
  • Funds will support new community hospital serving 200,000 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.
  • Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and Pakistani Consul General amongst distinguished attendees.

The Lancaster-based Abaseen Foundation has raised more than £200,000 to support orphans, children and families in North Pakistan's most deprived regions, with donations continuing to arrive following a fundraising gala attended by over 400 people in Greater Manchester.

The event, held at Royal Nawaab in Stockport on December (7), attracted distinguished guests including the lord lieutenant of Greater Manchester Diane Hawkins, University of Manchester chancellor Nazir Afzal, and Pakistani consul general Imtiaz Feroz Gondal, alongside judges, lawyers, entrepreneurs and media personalities.

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