Charges against Umar Akmal dropped, will play against England

LAHORE: All charges against Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal were dismissed on Friday and he has been included in the T20 squad against England.

Umar Akmal has decided to stay tight lipped on the issue and told journalists that he cannot comment on the matter and expressed his hopes that he will join the team in Dubai to play against England.

Umar Akman had been served a show-cause notice after media in Pakistan reported that he was found involved in ‘suspicious activities’, additionally Akmal had been dropped from the squad citing ‘disciplinary issues’ due to the issue.

A PCB statement issued after Akmal was left out of the squad said that while he was in contention for a place in the T20 squad, he was dropped after press reports revealed that “he had brought PCB and Pakistan Cricket into disrepute."

“Umar Akmal had been penciled in for selection, but he has subsequently been dropped on instructions from the Board, as he has been issued with a show cause notice for bringing PCB and Pakistan Cricket into disrepute,” said Chief Selector Haroon Rashid.

However Umar Akmal denied any wrongdoing at a party, which led to his axing from the Twenty20 team against England.

"I attended a dinner party after being granted official permission by my team manager," said Umar in his response to the PCB notice.