Akmal summoned by PCB over comments

Umar Akmal has been summoned to appear in front of the Pakistan Cricket Board after the batsman claimed he was approached by match fixers during the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The International Cricket Council has also launched an investigation into Akmal's explosive claims, made during an interview on Pakistan TV.

The 28-year-old stated he was approached by bookies to leave two deliveries during Pakistan's tournament opener against India.

"I had got an offer during the World Cup to leave alone two balls and they were willing to pay me $200,000 for that,” he said.

"It was our first match against India in the 2015 World Cup.

"Similar offers have been made in the past as well.

"In the matches with India I've been told to make some excuse and opt out of the game for which I’d be paid but I have told those people that I am committed to Pakistan and to not approach me ever with such offers.”

Akmal has been asked to appear before the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Unit on Wednesday, June 27.

It’s unclear whether Akmal reported the approaches at the time.

Under International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Code, players are required to immediately report any advances from match fixers or bookmakers. Failure to do so is a punishable offence under both PCB and ICC rules and those found guilty face bans of anywhere between six months to five years.

In an official statement, the ICC confirmed it had launched an investigation and wished to speak to Akmal urgently.

"The ICC is aware of a recent interview given by Umar Akmal. Whilst we note that there is no suggestion that any 'fix' actually took place, the ICC is reliant on players to report any corrupt approaches in a timely manner," the statement read.

"This is critical to our efforts to gather information on potential 'fixers' and to disrupt and prevent their efforts to corrupt the game. As such we are taking Akmal's comments very seriously."

Akmal hasn't played for Pakistan since January 2017 and has had several run-ins with the PCB in recent years.

In 2016, he was dropped from a limited-overs series against England on disciplinary grounds, before he forced his way back into the national team through weight of runs at domestic level.

After playing five one-dayers against Australia in January last year, he was controversially axed from Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad on the eve of the tournament after failing a fitness test.

Two months later, Akmal lashed out at coach Mickey Arthur at a press conference, accusing the South African of insulting him and refusing him access to the coaching facilities at the National Cricket Academy.