PCB reacts cautiously after ICC withdraws Rauf from CT

Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday reacted cautiously on the decision by the International Cricket Council to withdraw Pakistani Umpire Asad Rauf from next month`s Champions Trophy in UK for his alleged role in the IPL spot-fixing scandal.

"All we know is what we have read from the ICC statement. But obviously we will now try to get more details about Rauf`s name being mentioned in the spot fixing scandal in the IPL," a Board official said. The PCB official, who declined to be named, reiterated the Board`s zero tolerance on corruption. "It is too early to say anything about Rauf as it would be unfair to him and his reputation but as a institution the PCB has zero tolerance to corruption and our recent steps only confirm this strongly," he said. Last month, the Board had banned Test umpire Nadeem Ghouri and first class umpire Anis after they were named in a sting operation by an Indian television channel for allegedly having a spot-fixing nexus between match officials, players and bookmakers. Rauf`s name also cropped up some months back when an Indian model accused him in a police complaint of sexual harassment while he was in India. The matter was apparently hushed up and no charges made out against Rauf by Indian police. ICC said the decision to withdraw Rauf was taken in the best interest of the umpire. "In the wake of reports that the Mumbai Police are conducting an investigation into Asad Rauf`s activities, we feel that it is in Asad`s best interests as well as those of the sport and the event itself, that he is withdrawn from participating in the ICC Champions Trophy," said ICC Chief Executive David Richardson in a statement. Rauf was one of the umpires who officiated the IPL match in which the three arrested Rajasthan Royals players -- S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan -- allegedly indulged in spot-fixing in a game against Mumbai Indians on May 15 in Mumbai. PTI