ICC probes Suresh Raina's links with bookie

The ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit is probing why the Indian Board kept quiet about a report of its player Suresh Raina being seen in the company of a woman linked to an associate of an illegal bookmaker, a media report said in London.

Making it clear that Raina was not suspected of any wrongdoing, 'The Sunday Times', quoting a senior ICC source, said the incident related to India's tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year.

With the heightened security concerns following the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan, the Sri Lankans deputed a former general to look after the Indian team.

CCTV Cameras installed at the Indian team hotel showed that on more than one night Raina was in the company of a woman known to be an associate of a man allegedly linked to a bookmaker.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/icc-probes-suresh-rainas-links-with-bookie/701734/


A report, including the CCTV footage, was submitted by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board to their Indian counterparts.

Umpire of the year - Aleem Dar wins it again!

PCB Umpire Aleem Dar has been honored again by ICC. He has consecutively won the ICC award for best umpire. The ICC Awards 2010 ceremony was held at Bangalore, India, where Dar had strong competitors in this category like Steve Davis, Tony Hill and five-time winner Simon Taufel.

Dar, 42, was voted by the captains of the ten full members of the ICC and the eight-man elite panel of ICC's match referees for the period August 24, 2009 to August 10, 2010. Their choice was based on his decision statistics and officiating skills over the past 12 months.

A quick view on his umpiring career:

Tests: 60 matches
ODIs: 133 matches
T20Is: 18 matches

Fast bowler Mohammad Aamir was also a strong nomination and was expected to win, but unfortunately, the controversy has deprived him of that award.

Collecting the award, Dar said: "I think the fact that I'm still playing cricket in Pakistan makes me a good umpire. In the last four times I've played cricket I've scored centuries so I definitely think that has helped."

Anyway, atleast one award won by a Pakistani. Thank you Dar for making us proud once again!

- Jibran T.