BCCI suspends Mumbai cricketer Hiken Shah

Mumbai, July 13 - The Board of control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended Mumbai cricketer Hiken Shah with immediate effect on Monday after finding him guilty of breaching its Anti-Corruption Code.

The BCCI said Shah made a "corrupt" approach to one of his colleagues from first-class cricket, who plays in one of the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams.

Shah is a left-hand batsman and leg-break bowler who made his debut for Mumbai in domestic cricket in 2006 but has since struggled to be a regular member of the team. He has played 37 First Class matches, scoring 2160 runs at 42.35 with six centuries.

"His involvement in any form of cricket, affiliated with the BCCI stands suspended till the time the disciplinary committee of the BCCI passes appropriate orders," the BCCI said in a statement on Monday.

The approached player informed of the approach to his franchise team which reacted by informing the incident to BCCI's Anti Corruption Unit (ACU). The ACU conducted an immediate enquiry into the matter and found Shah guilty.

"After a detailed inquiry into the reported incident, the inquiry commissioner found Hiken Shah guilty of committing breach of Articles 2.1.1; 2.1.2; and 2.1.4 of the BCCI Anti-Corruption Code for participants and recommended their provisions to the BCCI President," the statement added.

BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya said BCCI is committed to uphold its stance of "zero tolerance" for fixing and reacted swiftly by ordering a probe.

"BCCI has zero tolerance for corruption in the game of cricket. We have and we will take swift action against such incidents to set a precedent and control the menace of corruption in the game. While placing the player under suspension, I have referred the matter to the disciplinary committee of the BCCI to take further action against the player involved," Damiya said in the release.

BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said the governing body's education policy was beginning to show results and the incident proves that they are on the right track.

"This particular incident demonstrates that BCCI's education policy against corruption is showing results, as the player approached was vigilant enough to report the matter to the ACU of the BCCI.

Having said that, the fight against corruption is an ongoing battle and we will not leave any stone unturned. BCCI is committed to keep cricket corruption-free," he said.

(IANS)