LAHORE: All-rounder Anwar Ali will replace Umar Akmal in the Quetta Gladiators’ line-up for the Paksitan Super League 2020 following the event’s technical committee’s approval.
The technical committee was chaired by PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan and it included Bazid Khan, Marina Iqbal, Sameer Khosa and Dr Sohail Saleem.
The 32-year-old comes in as a Silver category player and has turned out for Quetta Gladiators in all previous editions. Anwar has scored 191 runs and taken 23 wickets in 32 HBL PSL matches.
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Quetta Gladiators, the defending champions, will begin their title defence tonight with the opening match of the fifth edition against two-time champion Islamabad United at the National Stadium, Karachi, at 9pm.
The PCB on Thursday suspended Umar Akmal with immediate effect under Article 4.7.1* of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code, which means he cannot take part in any cricket-related activity pending the investigation being carried out by PCB’s Anti-Corruption Unit.
As this is an ongoing investigation, the PCB will not make any further comments.
Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators are allowed to apply for Umar Akmal’s replacement in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020. The defending champions will take on two-time former winners Islamabad United in the opening match, which will commence later today at 9:00pm (PST).