Action demanded against Kohli for ball-tampering

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistani cricketers and former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman demanded the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ban Indian skipper Virat Kohli for ball-tampering.

In a video published by a South African newspaper group IOL, Kohli is seen shining the ball during India’s first Test against England at Rajkot in a similar manner to which that had prompted the world cricket governing body to take action against South African skipper Faf du Plessis.

Former leg-spinner Abdul Qadir said Kohli should be banned for ball-tampering. “He should also be finned,” he said while talking to a private news channel.

Qadir said if the ICC doesn’t take any action against him (Kohli), then all the member boards should urge it to take action against him. The ICC should ensure that rules are same for everybody.

He asked the members boards to send letters or email to the ICC to look into the matter. “When it comes to ban a Pakistani player on bowling action or else then the ICC steps in promptly and puts a ban. But in case of an Indian player it backs out.”

Former cricketer and chief selector Haroon Rasheed noted with concern that South African skipper Faf du Plessis was reported by the umpires, but in Kohli’s case they kept mum.

“According to the ICC rules action against a player is only taken if he is reported by the referee or field umpire,” he said.

Former PCB Chairman Khalid Mahmood stated that whenever any Indian player is found involved in some misdoings, the ICC behaves differently.

“We don’t see application of same rule for India. The ICC always treats India differently. Such an attitude is harmful for the game of cricket,” he said.

He said only the Indian skipper but the match referee and field umpire should also be banned as why such an incident went unnoticed.