Cricket umpire Nadir Shah banned for 10 years after corruption probe

The former international official has been banned for a decade by the Bangladesh Cricket Board following a sting operation by an Indian television programme last year.

Cricket umpire Nadir Shah has been banned for 10 years.

Nadir Shah has been banned for 10 years by the Bangladesh Cricket Board following an investigation into allegations of corruption.

The BCB launched an inquiry after a sting operation involving Indian television reporters in a programme aired in October.

The inquiry concluded 49-year-old Shah, who has stood as umpire in 40 one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals, was guilty of the allegations but Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat, his fellow official, was cleared.

A statement on the BCB website read: "The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) conducted a detailed inquiry into allegation of corruption brought on by satellite television channel India TV against match officials who had been under the retainership of the Board.

"The investigation was conducted by a Special Committee which recently submitted its findings and recommendations to the BCB. Based on that report the BCB has decided to take the following measures that would come into effect immediately:

"1. Umpire Nadir Shah will not be considered for BCB retainership for 10 (ten) years. During this period he will not be eligible for any assignment under the jurisdiction of the BCB.

"2. Umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat has been cleared of any form of misconduct. He is now eligible to undertake match officiating assignments/duties under the BCB's jurisdiction.

"The inquiry underlines the BCB's zero tolerance policy on corruption in the game and signifies the Board's commitment towards upholding the spirit of cricket."

The International Cricket Council (ICC) also commented with chief executive David Richardson releasing a statement which read: "Although the ICC was not directly involved in these cases, it notes the findings by the BCB in relation to Mr Shah and Mr Saikat, and notes the sanction imposed upon Mr Shah.

"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.

"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 corruptors by remaining vigilant and by following the procedures and protocols which are in place."

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