Akmal banned for three years

Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal was banned Monday from all forms of cricket for three years after pleading guilty to failing to report match-fixing approaches, the country's cricket board announced.

Umar, who turns 30 in May, withdrew last month from challenging the charges. His ban is effective from February 20, when he was provisionally suspended by the board.

The decision was announced by a disciplinary committee after a brief hearing of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Umar last represented Pakistan in against Sri Lanka in Lahore last year, falling to a first-ball ducks.