ICC to probe Pune pitch tampering allegations

TIL Desk Sports/ The International Cricket Council said it is investigating the pitch tampering allegations made against Pune curator Pandurang Salgaoncar ahead of the second One-day International between India and New Zealand in Pune on Wednesday.

“We are investigating the allegations from Pune this morning, as with all international cricket, the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit has an ICC ACU Manager on the ground in India and we are in close contact with him,” said an ICC official.”We are now looking to establish the facts and will make no further comment whilst this is ongoing,” the official added.

Salgaoncar was suspended by the Maharashtra Cricket Association after being caught in a sting operation, agreeing to tamper with the pitch on the approach of an undercover TV reporter, posing as a bookie.With the tampering allegations surfacing against Salgaoncar hours before the game, there were doubts whether the second ODI in Pune will go ahead as planned. However, the game began on time after ICC match referee Chris Broad inspected the pitch.