ICC lauds Bangladesh board for banning corrupt umpire

Dubai: The ICC on Monday lauded the Bangladesh Cricket Board for imposing a 10-year ban on umpire Nadir Shah, who was caught negotiating money for favourable decisions in an Indian TV sting operation last year. Nadir was banned but another umpire, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat, who was also shown in the sting, was absolved of the charges in an inquiry conducted by the BCB.

The governing body's Chief Executive David Richardson said "although the ICC was not directly involved in these cases", it was glad that action has been taken against corruption.

"The ICC takes no pleasure from the fact that an umpire has been found to have acted inappropriately and sanctioned accordingly; however, the decision reflects the commitment of the ICC and its members to root out corruption from our great sport," he said in a statement.

BCB has slapped a 10-year ban on Nadir Shah, who was caught in a TV sting negotiating money for favourable decisions.

"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. We can only beat the corrupt by remaining vigilant and by following the procedures and protocols which are in place," he concluded.

In case of Shah, the BCB declared that he would not be considered for retainership and would not be eligible for any assignment under the board's jurisdiction for a 10-year period, in both cases effective immediately.

Saikat, however, was cleared of any misconduct and was, therefore, eligible to undertake match officiating under the BCB's jurisdiction immediately.

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