LAHORE: Pakistani wicket-keeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has expressed his displeasure on the punishment of his brother Umar Akmal and said that the sentence was ‘too harsh’.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) yesterday banned the cricketer for three years for being allegedly involved in match fixing. The verdict was announced by a special tribunal bench set for hearing the case.
“I don’t know why they [PCB] were too quick to announce the verdict. They must have checked the facts and investigated the matter thoroughly. The ban is too harsh and I think it will affect other cricketers badly,” Kamran said in an interview soon after h came to know about the ban.
“Once the detailed verdict comes, I will ask him [Umar Akmal] to exercise his rights and appeal against the ban. I know the matter will be solved as per the laws and the ban will be lifted,” he added.
Taking a jibe at PCB, the cricketer said that there were several examples in the past of more lenient punishments for such indiscretions.
“Many cricketers have been related to bookies in past and were involved in match-fixing. They are still playing for the team. If the rules were too strict, then the punishment would be same for everyone. Umar’s punishment is too harsh and it should be mitigated,” the 38-year-old said.
