Umar Akmal, Junaid fined 50 per cent for spat during Pakistan Cup

Umar Akmal, Junaid fined 50 per cent for spat during Pakistan Cup

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have fined batsman Umar Akmal and fast bowler Junaid Khan after they clashed when the latter missed Pakistan Cup match due to health-related problem. Umar, captaining Punjab, suggested the fast bowler was missing the match deliberately, prompting Junaid to use a video statement to angrily hit back. “The PCB has imposed a fine of 50 per cent of the match fee to Umar and Junaid for their misconduct at the Pakistan Cup held last month in Rawalpindi,” said a PCB release. “The Board has also warned the two players that they will be under observation for a month starting 18th May and re-occurrence of breach of discipline will lead to one month suspension.” READ: Internal conflict in Pakistan team comes to fore as Junaid Khan-Umar Akmal get involved in verbal spat

The issue began when Akmal said this in a match. “I just found out when I walked into the ground that he [Junaid] is absent. I am very surprised. The manager and coach told me he is not going to be playing today. It’s shocking news for me, as captain,” Akmal had said in a television interview. Umar has been involved in various discipline breaches in the past, including a brawl with a traffic police official in 2014 which landed him in jail for one day. The PCB had set up a three-member committee to investigate the issue.

In response to that, Junaid released a video in which he said, “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 food poisoning and the team management is aware of it. 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.” Junaid had added.

(With inputs from AFP)