LAHORE - Pakistani middle-order batsman Umar Akmal Monday submitted a reply to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s show-cause notice he was issued for allegedly attending a dance party.
Akmal was issued the notice on Thursday over attending a dance party with domestic teammates in Hyderabad. He was also dropped from squad for three-match Twenty20 series against England for ‘violating’ board’s code of conduct. Umar submitted to the PCB inquiry committee that he only had food at the party in Hyderabad. “I have done wrong since I fully abide by PCB code of conduct and can’t even think of violating it,” Akmal said.
Akmal is also facing allegation of harassing a model. Rachel Khan, a model/actress from Lahore, came into limelight on Friday blaming Akmal for sexually harassing her during “Play For Peace” event in Oslo, Norway. However, Akmal denied both the charges. “Reports about Rachel and Hyderabad events were false and I don’t want to talk on these issues,” Akmal said while talking to the reporters here at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Akmal said his family was very disturbed over the allegations, asking the media to support and hoped that they would handle the matter carefully. He said that everything would become public after he would submit his reply to the show-cause notice tomorrow.
Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi has also reportedly backed the embroiled batsman, asking the PCB to clear Umar and then reinstate him in the squad. 25-year-old Akmal also thanked Shahid Afridi for supported him.
Labeling the allegations baseless, Umar said: “I am not answerable to anyone apart from the department I am playing for. Cricket is my love and I want to represent Pakistan for a long period of time.”