Umar Akmal is set to return to cricket after his ban was reduced to 12 months ©Getty Images

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has reduced the ban of Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal from three years to 12 months and handed him a fine for breaching the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) anti-corruption code.

Akmal was suspended in February 2020 for failing to report corruption approaches made to him before the start of the Pakistan Super League.

The PCB's disciplinary panel last April found Akmal guilty on two charges of separate breaches and suspended him for three years.

He had been charged for the two breaches on March 20.

That ban was then halved after Akmal appealed to an independent adjudicator, before Akmal and PCB both took the case to the CAS.

This means Akmal can return to competitive cricket, subject to paying the fine of $27,000 (£19,400/€22,300).

He must also go through the rehabilitation programme under the PCB's anti-corruption code.

Akmal has played for Pakistan in international cricket 221 times, including 16 Tests.

"The PCB once again urges and reminds all participants to abide by their duty and promptly report any approaches to the anti-corruption officers and help themselves as well as the anti-corruption unit's effort to eliminate the anathema of fixing," the PCB said in a statement.