Kamran Akmal Offers To Pay Brother Umar's Spot Fixing Fine, Calls For His Test Return

Umar Akmal hasn't played any cricket since February 2020 after PCB banned him for being involved in a fixing scandal in Pakistan Super League. (PSL)

Karachi: Pakistan's wicket-keeper batsman, Kamran Akmal has offered to pay the 4.25 million rupees fine for brother Umar Akmal. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) imposed a fine on Umar in relation to a match-fixing scandal in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). "I am willing to pay the fine for my brother. I request the PCB they can deduct the amount from any payments due to me for my PSL matches," Kamran Akmal said on Sunday. He also lobbied for his Test selection. He was speaking in a video on CricketPakistan.com. 

The 30-year old Umar has not played any cricket since February 2020 when PCB suspended him for not reporting the match-fixing approaches. A fine of rupees 4.25 million rupees has been imposed on him which his brother, Kamran Akmal has offered to pay. Earlier, Umar had requested PCB to allow him to pay the fine in instalments but the PCB rejected this request. But now Umar's brother, Kamran has come ahead to offer to pay the fine. Kamran also requested that Umar's rehabilitation program starts soon so that he could be available for Test selection.  

"The money should not be such a big issue. They can deduct from my fees and even Umar whenever he plays his money will also come through the PCB only," Kamran said.

"I request the PCB to show some leniency and Umar is ready to pay the fine. 

“Umar Akmal can also be selected, his case and punishment is now out of the way as well. We need to quickly start his rehab rather than delaying it. PCB should work with him at the high-performance camp, as it does with other players, and help him prepare for domestic cricket and the next PSL. As far as fine is concerned, if Umar can’t pay, I have asked the PCB to deduct the fine from my PSL retainer,” said the Pakistani cricketer. 

Kamran Akma also spoke about the possible return of the Pakistan Super League which has been suspended due to the rising cases of Covid-19. “The cricket board made good arrangements last time as well but they need to improve it even further. As a player, the responsibility lies on me and as well as other cricketers. We need to follow the SOPs set in place because it’s really important that the PSL finishes [in June] because there is no available window after that,” concluded Akmal.