Suspended cricketer Hiken Shah vows to fight to prove innocence
Hiken Shah, the Mumbai cricketer suspended from all forms of cricket by the BCCI for corruption, has come out stressing his innocence.
"I am innocent. I have not done anything wrong."
When asked if he had indeed approached the Mumbai and Rajasthan Royals player in question, he said, "All I will say is I am innocent and I will fight to prove it."
Had met (Tambe) for coaching thing: Shah
It is understood that approximately a fortnight before IPL 8 commenced on April 8, Shah was training with some of his Mumbai team-mates. After training, he sat with the Royals cricketer, reported to be Pravin Tambe (but yet to be announced by BCCI), in his car and allegedly tried to convince him to cheat during an IPL match.
Shah allegedly tried convincing Tambe by telling him he didn't have much cricket left in him, and that he should think of making a quick buck by cheating in a game. Tambe, with the help of another Royals player, had reported the incident to his franchise, who had in turn alerted BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit.
"I have no idea what is happening. I had just met him for a coaching thing and not any irregular activity."
Unexpected from someone like Hiken: Mumbai Chief Selector
Shah, considered to be one of the most soft-spoken and disciplined cricketers in Mumbai, is expected to return home by the weekend in a bid to clear his name. He is likely to be asked to appear before the BCCI disciplinary committee, headed by president Jagmohan Dalmiya.
Mumbai chief selector Milind Rege said, "It is absolutely shocking. One doesn't expect in today's times when the vigilance level has gone up so high for such things to happen, more so from someone like Hiken.
“One has known this boy for some time. He has always been one of the quiet ones. Least expected from somebody like him."
News Alert: Mumbai cricketer Hiken Shah has been suspended with immediate effect. He is guilty of breaching BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Code
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 13, 2015