PCB pondering over ban reprieve is great news: Nadeem Ghauri

PCB likely to lift ban over tainted Pakistani umpire six months before it officially ends

FAISALABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to give a six-month reprieve to Pakistani umpire Nadeem Ghauri, who was suspended from umpiring by the board in 2013 after being found guilty of accepting bribes for favourable umpiring decisions.

Ghauri, who appealed to the PCB to reconsider his ban in December 2014, has been constantly criticising the board for taking a one-sided approach in his case.



He has thus requested the PCB to allow him to resume umpiring six months before his ban ends in April next year.  “I have sent many applications to the PCB to allow me to resume umpiring in domestic cricket,” Ghauri told The Express Tribune.

The 53-year-old further revealed that the PCB has decided to act upon his request and might allow him some reprieve. “I have heard that the PCB is acting upon my request and chairman Shaharyar Khan has forwarded my request to the Board of Governors for their approval. So that is great news,” he added.



Ghauri, who officiated in five Tests, 43 ODIs and four T20Is, was suspended from umpiring when in 2013, a private Indian channel levelled corruption allegations on eight umpires, which included four Bangladeshi and two Sri Lankan and Pakistani umpires.

The International Cricket Council subsequently suspended the alleged officials from officiating in international matches, while the PCB suspended the Pakistani pair from umpiring in domestic matches as well.



Talking about how the ban has affected his personal life, Ghauri stated: “My only bread and butter is cricket. It was and it still is very difficult to make ends meet; I hope the PCB lifts the ban soon and lets me resume umpiring so that I can continue the work I love and earn money to live.”