Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal was fined 20% of his match fee for staying out late the night before the last game of the five-match one-day international series between Pakistan and Australia, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday.
Akmal also received “an official reprimand” from the board, the press release said. The batsman “pleaded guilty to the charge, apologised for his actions and accepted the sanction proposed by team manager Talat Ali”.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Umar may have been out attending an Akon concert on Friday night without permission from the team management, with his late return violating the rules set on when players needed to be back at their hotel while on tour.
“I am glad that Umar has realised his mistake, and has accepted and apologised for his actions, which were clearly unprofessional and in no way can be ignored or overlooked,” the press release quoted PCB Managing Director Wasim Khan as saying.
“The PCB expects a high level of professionalism and commitment from its players, and this action is a reiteration and timely reminder that any indiscipline shall not be tolerated or accepted.”
“The PCB will not be making any further comment on this matter,” the statement added.
Akmal was recalled after nearly two years when Pakistan rested at least seven of its World Cup players. His 150 runs in the five ODIs could impress selectors to pick him for the World Cup.
It is not the first time Akmal has been fined for violating team curfew. In 2015, he was dropped for a Twenty20 series in England as he attended a party in Hyderabad, India, while playing in the premier domestic first-class tournament, the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.
Australia completed a 5-0 whitewash over Pakistan with a clinical 20-run win in the fifth and final ODI in Dubai on Sunday.
