TV sting: Umpires hit back after match-fixing claims | Cricket - Hindustan Times
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TV sting: Umpires hit back after match-fixing claims

AFP | By, Colombo
Oct 10, 2012 02:17 PM IST

Umpires at the centre of a bribery scandal denied today they were willing to fix matches for cash as cricket authorities announced an urgent probe into the allegations aired in a television sting.

Umpires at the centre of a bribery scandal denied on Tuesday they were willing to fix matches for cash as cricket authorities announced an urgent probe into the allegations aired in a television sting.

ICC-cricket-umpire-Anish-as-seen-in-the-TV-grab-of-a-sting-by-India-TV
ICC-cricket-umpire-Anish-as-seen-in-the-TV-grab-of-a-sting-by-India-TV

An undercover investigation by an Indian TV channel allegedly found that six umpires, including one who is a regular fixture on the international circuit, were willing to give decisions or provide inside information on the teams and playing conditions in return for illicit payments.

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The accusations were broadcast only a day after the West Indies' victory over the hosts Sri Lanka in the final of the World Twenty20 tournament, quickly souring the atmosphere after one of the game's premier events.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) reacted by calling on the TV channel "to turn over any information which can assist the ICC's urgent investigations into this matter."

"The ICC reiterates its zero-tolerance towards corruption whether alleged against players or officials," the organisation said in a statement.

ICC cricket umpire Nadeem Ghouri as seen in a TV grab of India TV. Umpires at the centre of a bribery scandal denied October 9, 2012, that they were willing to fix matches for cash as cricket authorities announced an urgent probe into the allegations aired in a TV sting.
ICC cricket umpire Nadeem Ghouri as seen in a TV grab of India TV. Umpires at the centre of a bribery scandal denied October 9, 2012, that they were willing to fix matches for cash as cricket authorities announced an urgent probe into the allegations aired in a TV sting.

Three of those named were from Sri Lanka, while two were from Pakistan. The sixth was the Bangladeshi umpire Nadir Shah of Bangladesh, who is a member of the ICC's international panel which officiates in matches around the world.

Grainy footage appeared to show Shah, who has stood in 40 one-day internationals and a number of Twenty20 internationals, say he was willing to give LBW decisions on demand.

ICC cricket umpire Sagara Galage as seen in the TV grab of a sting by India TV. Sri Lanka's cricket board pledged to help the International Cricket Council investigation of the TV sting.
ICC cricket umpire Sagara Galage as seen in the TV grab of a sting by India TV. Sri Lanka's cricket board pledged to help the International Cricket Council investigation of the TV sting.

The video does not show any cash being exchanged nor did the channel broadcast any proof of the umpires delivering decisions or information.

In a statement, Shah said any suggestion that he was open to bribery was "absolutely rubbish".

"If I am going to fix match, I will be caught some day by the ICC. No umpire fixes matches," he said.

Pakistan umpire Nadeem Ghouri, another of those named, also denied any involvement.

"I am surprised at these baseless allegations" he said.

Ghouri said he would "consult my lawyers to decide on my future course of action".

Ghouri has umpired in Test matches and dozens of limited over internationals, although he is no longer part of the ICC panel.

In this October 2008 photo, Bangladeshi cricketer Abdur Razzak (R) gestures towards umpire Nadir Shah during an ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand in Dhaka. An undercover investigation by India TV channel allegedly found that six umpires, Shah, were willing to give decisions or provide inside information on the teams and playing conditions in return for illicit payments. AFP Phot)
In this October 2008 photo, Bangladeshi cricketer Abdur Razzak (R) gestures towards umpire Nadir Shah during an ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand in Dhaka. An undercover investigation by India TV channel allegedly found that six umpires, Shah, were willing to give decisions or provide inside information on the teams and playing conditions in return for illicit payments. AFP Phot)

Meanwhile Gamini Dissanayake, one of three Sri Lankans to be named, told the Colombo-based Daily Mirror newspaper the allegation was a "fabrication".

"It is shocking how our names have been linked to this. Obviously this is an attempt at mudslinging," he told the daily.

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