Gentleman's game under threat again: TV sting claims fixing by umpires for Rs 50,000

Gentleman's game under threat again: TV sting claims fixing by umpires for Rs 50,000

Mail Online            
                                                                                                                        
Six umpires, including two with international experience, have allegedly been caught on camera agreeing to change their decisions for money.
 
An India TV sting carried out before the World Twenty20 has named Pakistan's Nadeem Ghauri and Anees Siddiqui, Bangladesh's Nadir Shah and Sri Lanka's Gamini Dissanayake, Sagara Gallage and Maurice Winston as the umpires in question.
 
Out of these, Ghauri, a former Pakistan left-arm spinner, is the most prominent of all, having officiated in five Tests, 43 ODIs and four T20 Internationals.

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin (third right) is congratulated by his teammates after he dismissed Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal (2L) during a World Twenty20 warm-up match between India and Pakistan at The R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo Shah has stood in 40 ODIs and three T20s. Gallage, meanwhile, was the fourth official for the televised India-Pakistan warm-up match just before the World Twenty20 began last month. Responding to the sting, the International Cricket Council issued a statement asking the channel to provide the information to it.

'The ICC and its relevant members have been made aware of the allegations made by India TV this evening and calls on the station to turn over any information which can assist the ICC's urgent investigations into this matter.

The ICC re-iterates its zero-tolerance towards corruption whether alleged against players or officials.

The ICC confirms that none of the umpires named were involved in any of the official games of the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka,' said the world governing body.

The sting claimed that Shah said he was ready to fix any match - whether international, county, or league - and offered to give decisions like 'out' and 'not out' in any format of the game.

He also claimed that Pakistan batsman Nasir Jamshed 'fixed' several matches during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) this year.

For a payment of Rs 50,000, Gallage agreed to share information about the pitch, weather, toss, and even the playing XIs.

He promised to give Pakistan batsman Imran Nazir out during the Sri Lankan Premier League (SLPL) that was played before the World T20, and even offered to get a decision in favour of India in the course of the match by 'managing' the match referee and other officials.

Ghauri also agreed to help India in every way. As a quid pro quo, he agreed to take all the payments in 'black'.

He also promised to do any kind of favour for any player while umpiring. Gallage recommended Maurice Winston's name to the undercover reporters and he, in turn, shared information about the pitch, toss and playing XIs of Australia and England in a warm-up game, also on September 17.

He agreed to take the entire amount of Rs 50,000 in 'black'. Dissanayake went a step further, promising to revolt against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) if given a handsome amount.

He said that by providing liquor and 'picnic' to SLC officials, one can get any work done.

A seventh umpire, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat of Bangladesh 'refused to give any favour in lieu of money', according to a release issued by the TV channel.

In addition, Minhazuddin Khan, the media manager of BPL's Dhaka Gladiators, is alleged to have said that former Pakistan allrounder Azhar Mahmood had indulged in match-fixing during the SLPL