ICC, MCA to Conduct Inquiry Into Curator’s Pitch Tampering Sting

“The MCA, and of course, the BCCI and CoA have zero tolerance on such subjects,” said MCA President Abhay Apte.

The ICC and the President of the Maharashtra Cricket Association Abhay Apte on Wednesday said that they would conduct a detailed inquiry into Pune curator Pandurang Salgaonkar's claims that he could tamper with the pitch ahead of the second ODI between India and New Zealand.

“We are investigating the allegations from Pune this morning, as with all international cricket, the ICC Anti- Corruption Unit has an ICC ACU Manager on the ground in India and we are in close contact with him," said an ICC official.

"We are now looking to establish the facts and will make no further comment whilst this is ongoing," the official added.

In the sting operation by India Today, Salgaonkar is seen and heard speaking about tampering with the pitch to an undercover reporter, who poses as a bookie, while standing on the pitch of the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here last evening.

I am here just to make one statement because since morning there has been some news on TV on a very disturbing subject. So, I have to say that the MCA, and of course, the BCCI and CoA have zero tolerance on such subjects.

Abhay Apte, MCA President

"So MCA will be making a detailed inquiry on what has happened or what has appeared on television, but before that we have our urgent meeting," he added.

Apte also said that Salgaonkar has been suspended with immediate effect and MCA has withdrawn his membership as well.

"In the capacity of MCA President, I have taken Mr Salgaonkar under suspension with immediate effect and all his work has been withdrawn, including his basic membership with MCA," the MCA president said.

Salgaonkar is a former Maharashtra pacer, who played a total of 63 first-class games. Earlier this year, he was in dock when ICC match referee rated Pune's pitch as poor after the end of the first Test between India and Australia.

The match had ended on the third day with the visiting team defeating India by a margin of 333 runs.

Also Read: BCCI Suspends Pune Pitch Curator but ODI Goes Ahead as Scheduled

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