ICC clears Kamran Akmal of spot-fixing charges
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal has received a life line from the International Cricket Council (ICC), after being cleared from his alleged involvement in the spot-fixing scandal that rocked world cricket during Pakistan’s tour of England earlier
this year.
The controversial wicket-keeper batsman, whose career has been dogged by several dropped catches behind the stumps, was the centre of attention for a string of high profile errors during the second Test against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 at Sydney in January this year.
The Lahore born keeper floored as many as four straight forward chances, which led to his team’s defeat from a seemingly impregnable position in the match.
The game was under investigation from all quarters, and the interest of the ICC’s Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) was heightened after the spot-fixing scandal broke during the Lords Test in August.
Three Pakistani players featuring in that game, including Captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif, were subsequently suspended after the ICC declared it was launching a probe over the players alleged involvement in spot-fixing.
Fast bowlers Aamer and Asif bowled no-balls, which the News of the World claimed were fixed by a bookmaker that had links with the trio.
The scandal rocked the very foundation of the game and questions were once again raised about whether corruption was rife amongst international cricketers.
Kamran was let off by the ICC a few days after an investigation was launched into the matter. The wicket-keeper then underwent an appendix operation upon his return from the tour of England.
He made himself available for selection for the ongoing series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 in the UAE, but was overlooked for all three formats of the game in favour of Zulqarnain Haider. Haider later abandoned the team after the fourth ODI played in Dubai.
He was replaced by Kamran’s sibling, Adnan Akmal, who made his Test debut in the drawn first Test match of the two match series in Dubai earlier this week.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) meanwhile, has remained mum over the matter and did not disclose any reasons for discarding Kamran.
However some PCB insiders disclosed that the ICC was not in favour of Karman’s selection until they cleared him of any wrongdoing. The ICC has now sent a letter to the wicket-keeper exonerating him of all charges that were leveled against him.
Kamran is keen to regain his place in the team for the tour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391 2011.
Kamran is expected to be a pivotal figure in the one-day international and Twenty20 teams, given that he is an explosive batsman who has the ability to turn a match on its head at any time. Pakistan has sorely missed his presence in the top order during
the recent limited overs series against South Africa.
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