Anwar Ali replaces Umar Akmal in Quetta Gladiators squad

All-rounder Anwar Ali will replace Umar Akmal in the Quetta Gladiators’ line-up for the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 following the event’s technical committee’s approval.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board today 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.

The technical committee is chaired by PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan and it includes Bazid Khan, Marina Iqbal, Sameer Khosa and Dr Sohail Saleem.

The 32-year-old comes in as a Silver category player. He has turned out for Quetta Gladiators in all previous editions, scoring 191 runs and taking 23 wickets in 32 HBL PSL matches.

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.