PCB bans umpire Nadeem Ghauri over spot-fixing

International umpire Nadeem Ghauri banned for four years after sting operation by an Indian television channel.

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket authorities Saturday banned international umpire Nadeem Ghauri for four years after a sting operation by an Indian television channel found him willing to spot-fix.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the ban for Ghauri, 50, a former international player, who officiated in five Tests, 43 one-day and four Twenty20 internationals.

Last October, India TV had carried out a sting operation through which they leveled corruption allegations on six umpires, including four from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka besides the Pakistan pair.

Subsequently, the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended the tainted umpires, as a result of which the PCB disallowed Ghauri and Anees Siddiqui from officiating in domestic cricket and formed a committee to investigate the matter.