Akmal's 1-match ban lifted by PCB

Islamabad - Pakistan's Umar Akmal is eligible to play in a Twenty20 series against New Zealand on Friday after the middle-order batsman successfully appealed his one-match suspension for violating dress code during a domestic match.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said on Wednesday that Akmal's original suspension would be lifted and he would be permitted to play.

Akmal sported two logos instead of the single logo permitted under competition rules during the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy last week.

He was dropped for Pakistan's recent Twenty20 series against England for his involvement in unspecified "immoral activities" during another domestic match, before the PCB changed course when he was cleared by the police.

Akmal will return home after the three-match series against New Zealand and will not be a part of Pakistan's one-day international team.