'Umar Akmal Makes It To The List Of Idiots': Ramiz Raja Slams Pak Batsman Over 3-Year Ban

Reacting to Umar Akmal's ban by PCB, ex-Pakistan player Ramiz Raja on Tuesday said that Akmal has now officially made it to the list of idiots

Photo: AFP/ PCB Media

Pakistan's Umar Akmal has been banned by PCB for three-years from all cricket as he was found guilty of failing to report a spot-fixing approach in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Reacting to Umar's ban, former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja on Tuesday said that Umar Akmal has now officially made it to the list of idiots. "So Umar Akmal officially makes it to the list of idiots! Banned for 3 years. What a waste of a talent!" Raja wrote in a tweet before adding, It’s high time that Pakistan moved towards passing a legislative law against match fixing. Behind bars is where such jack a***s belong! Otherwise brave for more!!"

So Umar Akmal officially makes it to the list of idiots! Banned for 3 years. What a waste of a talent! It’s high time that Pakistan moved towards passing a legislative law against match fixing. Behind bars is where such jack asses belong! Otherwise brave for more!!

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) April 27, 2020

Umar Akmal was charged with two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents on 17 March. Zimbabwe's cricketer-turned-commentator Pommie Mbangwa asked Ramiz in a reply if "jail time would win the war?"

This war seems to be being won by the bad guys, Rambo? He’s quite high profile, isn’t he? Do you think jail time would win the war?

— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) April 27, 2020

Raja wrote: "Jail time could be a useful deterrent Pommie, possibly the last resort!! It's like fighting covid 19, all will have to pitch in to save the cricket world: Fans, Boards, stake holders,law enforcement agencies, You & I."

This war seems to be being won by the bad guys, Rambo? He’s quite high profile, isn’t he? Do you think jail time would win the war?

— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) April 27, 2020

The decision to ban Umar Akmal for three years was announced by a disciplinary committee after a brief hearing of the PCB. PCB Director – Anti-Corruption and Security, Lt Col Asif Mahmood, said: “The PCB doesn’t take any pleasure in seeing a promising international cricketer being declared ineligible for three years on corruption charges, but this is once again a timely reminder to all who think they can get away by breaching the anti-corruption code. “The anti-corruption unit regularly holds educational seminars and refresher courses at all levels to remind all professional cricketers of their obligations and responsibilities. And even then if some cricketers decide to take the Code in their hands, then this is how things will pan out. “I request all professional cricketers to stay away from the menace of corruption and immediately inform relevant authorities as soon as they are approached. This is in their as well as their teams’ and country’s best interest.”