Umar Akmal's suspension put on hold by PCB

New Delhi: Umar Akmal's suspension has been put on hold by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which means that the wicketkeeper-batsman will be available to play in the first Twenty20 International against New Zealand, scheduled to be played in Auckland on Friday.

The 25-year-old was handed a one-match ban last week by the PCB for violating dress code during Pakistan's domestic first-class tournament, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

The decision was taken after the player appealed against the suspension, a report in ESPNcricinfo claimed. His penalty stands suspended till his appeal is decided upon by a tribunal, the report added.

This was not the first time Akmal breached the law as he has been reprimanded twice earlier for the same offense.