Akram Saifi, a member of the IPL Governing Council chairman Rajeev Shukla’s personal staff, resigned after he was suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following a sting operation by a TV channel, in which Saifi is alleged to have demanded bribes and favours for including a player in the Uttar Pradesh junior cricket team.
In the sting, Rahul Sharma, a cricketer from Ghaziabad, is involved in a conversation with Saifi, who is heard making some demands. “I have checked on this boy. He did attend the trials but did not have the performances to back his selection. We have preserved the score-sheets of those matches and can produce them to prove fair selection,’ said UP Cricket Association secretary Yudhvir Singh to The Hindu, denying any wrongdoings in selection matters.
In a tweet, former UP skipper and Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif demanded a thorough investigation. “Shocked to hear about the extent of corruption in UP Cricket. Young talent being curbed by corrupt agents asking for favours. Hope @ShuklaRajiv ji ensures a fair investigation and justice to the young talent & helps restore UP Cricket. I stand by all those who have been exploited,” wrote Kaif.
