KKR's Morne Morkel reports getting approached by a 'suspicious' individual in Dubai

According to reports, Morne Morkel was approached by a ‘suspicious’ individual in Dubai and has reported the incident to ACSU

11 matches into IPL 2014, and the shadows of previous year’s scandal have already cropped up. According to media reports, KKR’s Morne Morkel has reported to ACSU (ICC’s anti-corruption unit) that he was approached by a ‘suspicious’ individual in Dubai.

However, ACSU (the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit) has not confirmed the report so far.

According to NDTV, TOI ran a story on Friday, bringing this development to light, and also said that ACSU were notified about a suspicious woman who tried to enter a hotel where the Rajasthan Royals squad was staying.

After the spot-fixing scandal broke out last year, players have been given strict instructions to report any unusual and suspicious activity around them in this IPL. Morkel’s case, if true, is the first reported incident of this season.

ACSU is led by Ravi Savant along with investigating officer Niranjan Shah Virk, who have been in UAE ever since the decision to host the first leg here was taken.

Readers would remember that BCCI moved away from UAE as a venue post the 2000 match-fixing scandal, and it’s the first time the cricketing body has returned to the venue. Already embroiled in a case in Supreme Court, BCCI would be vary of any unsavoury incidents happening in UAE which would further dent its credibility and also alienate UAE from hosting Indian cricket, a hope which is on the rise following great reception at the stadiums in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.