• The middle-order batsman was suspended with immediate effect under Article 4.7.1 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code.
• All-rounder has turned out for the defending champions in all previous editions.

KARACHI: 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.

Umar Akmal has been barred from taking part in any cricket activity following an ongoing investigation by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)'s Anti-Corruption Unit.

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

The Gladiator @realanwarali48 is back with the #PurpleForce 💪💪#WeTheGladiators#WeTheChampions pic.twitter.com/EAb83nuouO

— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) February 20, 2020

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

Quetta Gladiators 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.

Earlier, the middle-order batsman was suspended with immediate effect under Article 4.7.1 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code.