ICC suspends Pune curator Salgaoncar for six months

Pandurang Salgaoncar, who was suspended from his role of curator by the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) in October, has also been handed a suspension by the ICC for "failing to report an approach to engage in corrupt conduct". The issue had emerged ahead of the second ODI between India and New Zealand on October 25, following a sting operation by India Today TV; footage showed the curator telling undercover reporters that the pitch will be full of runs.

However, the ICC said, no evidence had been found of Salgaoncar "actually having been engaged in corruption."

Alex Marshall, the ICC's general manager, anti-corruption, said: "We have carried out an extensive investigation based on the allegations made by India Today and the material they shared with us. I am satisfied that Mr Salgaonkar has no case to answer on the broad allegations of corruption made by India Today.

"However, as he is bound by the ICC Anti-Corruption Code as a participant of the sport, he has been charged with breaching section 2.4.4 of the Code for his failure to report an approach to engage in corrupt conduct. Mr Salgaonkar has accepted that he has committed the offence and has received a six-month suspension."

The ICC's suspension will be backdated to October 25, 2017 - the day he was suspended by the MCA - meaning he can return to work on April 24, 2018.

India Today TV had said its reporters shot the video with Salgaoncar over two days (October 23 and 24) leading up to the New Zealand ODI, alleging corrupt activity on his part. In the video, Salgaoncar is seen telling the reporters: "It [the pitch] is very good. It will garner 337 runs. And 337 will be chaseable." New Zealand made 230 in the match, and India chased down the target four overs to spare on a slowing track.