Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Monday handed a ten-year ban to umpire Nadir Shah after the corruption charges, alleged by a TV sting operation last year, validated against him.
“Nadir Shah will not be considered for a BCB retainership for 10 years,” BCB said in a statement. “During this period he will not be eligible for any assignment under the jurisdiction of the BCB.”
Shah has announced to file appeal against the decision, saying the allegations against him are “baseless” and he had been made a “scapegoat”.
The TV sting operation conducted by India TV in July-August last year claimed several first-class umpires from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were agreed to give favourable decisions in exchange of money.
During the sting operation, the undercover reporters posed as the agents of a sports management company and committed the umpires to officiate assignments in all sort of events across the globe, particularly the lucrative T20 leagues.
Nadir Shah, who officiated in 40 one-dayers, six Test matches as TV umpire, three Tests as reserve umpire and three Twenty20 internationals, was visualized in the sting report offering undercover reporters to give demanded decisions like “out”, “not out” in any format of the sport.
Following the broadcasting of report, PCB, BCB and SLC announced to launch investigations. Trio boards constituted the fact finding committees to investigate the matter.
BCB inquiry committee submitted its report following five-month investigation on earlier this month while PCB is likely to receive its inquiry committee report on Tuesday, whereas in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka the investigation has not yet been got underway.
International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Dave Richardson hailed the BCB’s move to ban Nadir Shah, saying decision reflected the commitment of the ICC and its members to eradicate corruption from the game of gentlemen.
“This decision also reiterates cricket s zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and should serve as a reminder to all stakeholders, be they umpires, players, curators or administrators of the risks and challenges the sport faces,” said Richardson.
