Mohammed Shami gets BCCI contract

Sports Desk: Finally some relief for India cricketer Mohammed Shami as the Board of Control for India (BCCI) has decided to offer him Grade ‘B’ annual retainership contract, according to a release issued by the Indian cricket board on Thursday.

"The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) had requested Mr Neeraj Kumar, former Police Commissioner of Delhi and Head of BCCI Anti-Corruption Unit, to investigate the allegations against Mohd. Shami insofar as they pertain to the provisions of the BCCI Anti-Corruption Code," the BCCI release said.

"Mr Neeraj Kumar has submitted his confidential report to the CoA. Based on the conclusions in the said report, the CoA is of the view that no further actions/ proceedings under the BCCI anti-corruption code are warranted in the matter," it added.

Shami has been kept in Grade B, which means that he will be earning Rs 3 Cr per annum according to the new BCCI pay structure. The BCCI had introduced a new grade system altogether - Grade A+ : Rs 7 Cr, Grade A: Rs 5 Cr, Grade B: Rs 3 Cr, Grade C: Rs 1 Cr. Also, there was no Grade A+ in the list earlier, while Grade A players used to get Rs 2 Cr and Grade B and C cricketers received Rs 1 Cr and Rs 50 Lakh respectively.

The beleagured Indian pacer was absolved of all charges related to corruption after BCCI's Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) headed by Neeraj Kumar gave him a clean chit after a week long investigations.

"I was under tremendous pressure but now I feel relieved after BCCI cleared me of wrong-doing. I was hurt that my loyalty and commitment towards my nation was questioned. But I had full faith in BCCI's investigation process. I am looking forward towards getting back on the field," Shami told media-persons.

Earlier, speaking to Cricketnext, a senior official of the board informed that the Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) had written an e-mail letter to ACSU head Neeraj Kumar to investigate the matter and respond with findings in a week's time.

Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/March 23, 2018/Nasim