Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Umar Akmal and Junaid Khan were both fined 50 per cent of their match fee after they got involved in a verbal battle.
The incident relates to a Pakistan Cup match in April, where Akmal, who was captaining Punjab, questioned why Junaid was unavailable to play for Sindh.
“I just found out when I walked into the ground that he [Junaid] is absent,” Akmal had said. “I’m very surprised. The manager and coach told me he’s not going to be playing today. It’s shocking news for me, as captain.”
Firing back at Akmal, Junaid made it clear that he was not feeling well after being diagnosed with food poisoning.
“I am saddened to hear the remarks Umar Akmal made on television, saying ‘I ran away from the team’. I have not run away,” Junaid had said. “I am dealing with a case of food poisoning and the team management is aware of that. In fact, I was advised by the team doctor not to play today. Umar Akmal knew of this, and it was a shock for me to hear him say what he did, and I don’t know why he said it.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) set up an inquiry committee to look into the incident and they submitted their report on Wednesday.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has imposed a fine, i.e. fifty percent of the match fee, to Umar Akmal and Junaid Khan for their misconduct at the Pakistan Cup 2017 held last month in Rawalpindi,” the PCB said in a statement. “The Board has also warned the two players that they will be under observation for a month starting 18th May and reoccurrence of breach of discipline will lead to one-month suspension.”