LAHORE - Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal was Friday cleared in a traffic violation case after the police officer forgave him, saying he was a "national hero". The 23-year-old was arrested by Lahore police on February 1 for violating traffic rules and scuffling with policeman Mohammad Zeeshan. He was released on bail after being detained for hours and a local court last month issued a warrant against him, ordering him to appear on March 11.
Akmal had denied the charges and accused the police of one-sided action. A court official said magistrate Imtiaz Ahmed dismissed the case after Zeeshan forgave the cricketer. "I have forgiven Akmal because he is a national hero," Zeeshan told reporters outside the court. "Akmal's father apologised to me out of the court and after his assurances I asked the court to end the case," he said.
"But if Akmal ever violates traffic rules again, I will perform my duties." Wicketkeeper-batsman Akmal rescued his team with a fighting hundred against minnows Afghanistan in the Asia Cup last month, just days before the court ordered him to appear. He left for Bangladesh early Friday along with the rest of the Pakistan team for the World Twenty20 tournament which starts on Sunday.