Embroiled in the IPL spot-fixing scandal, Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf Wednesday broke his silence for the first time ever since his name cropped up in the Mumbai police’s investigation, saying he was ready to face the ICC’s Anti Corruption and Security Unit to clear his name.
“Money, gifts, spot-fixing and match-fixing have never been my goal and target. They have never been a topic in my life,” Rauf said.
“If there is an inquiry by the ICC’s Anti Corruption and Security Unit, then I will be happy to face the inquiry and answer all their queries,” he added, while dismissing all allegations against him.
The raging spot-fixing saga in the IPL turned murkier with the controversial umpire’s withdrawal by the ICC from next month’s Champions Trophy in England for his alleged role in the scandal, which is growing bigger by the day.
The ICC had said in a statement that Rauf was withdrawn as he was under investigation by the Mumbai Police, thus becoming the first umpire to come under the scanner in the IPL spot-fixing scandal.
Rauf has had a history of controversies and only last year a small-time model named Leena Kapoor had accused him of sexually exploiting her for months before refusing to marry her.
Although the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had distanced itself from Rauf’s case, saying the event was held in India and Rauf was officiating as an ICC umpire, PCB chairperson Zaka Ashraf had said that action would be taken against the umpire if the ICC asks for any such step.
Rauf, a serving elite-level international umpire, was withdrawn by the ICC from next month’s Champions Trophy after media reports that he was under police investigation.
The investigations started on May 16 when Delhi police arrested three cricketers including Test fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, accusing them of deliberately bowling badly in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars during the lucrative IPL.
Indian media alleged Rauf was in contact with Bollywood actor Vindu Dara Singh, arrested on charges of acting as middleman between bookies, players and officials.
Rauf, also a former first-class cricketer, was included in the Elite Panel in 2006 and has so far stood in 48 Tests, 98 one-day internationals and 23 Twenty20 internationals.
Rauf said he had never been interested in fixing or backhanders.
“Fixing, illegal money and gifts have never been my topic, nor my target. These allegations have no truth and this is all,” he said.
Rauf clarified his pull-out from the Champions Trophy, saying he was only withdrawn from the tournament and not removed from the panel of top umpires approved to stand in Tests and one-day internationals.
“I want to make it clear that the ICC has withdrawn me from the Trophy, they have not removed me,” he said.
“The ICC took the decision in the best interests of the game and for me, and I accept that.”
