Mohammad Shami likely to play for Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2018, hints BCCI

Amidst all the controversies, Indian pacer Mohammad Shami is likely to get a chance to play for the Delhi Daredevils team in the much-awaited Indian Premier League 2018.

Shami, who is amid serious controversy after his wife, Hasin Jahan, alleged him of mental and physical assault, might also get his annual contract back if the report filed by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) forgives him from any wrongdoing as per the Board’s Code of Ethics.

According to the officials of the Board, the allegations of domestic violence by Shami’s wife Jahan are completely under the jurisdiction of the police and the Board has nothing to do with it.

A BCCI official said, “The brief is pretty clear. The BCCI’s handbook has an ‘Ethics Code’ for cricketers with a specific clause regarding financial transactions. The ACU is only investigating Shami’s dealings with Mohammed Bhai and Alishba and the alleged monetary exchange his wife is talking about. If Kumar’s report absolves Shami of any wrongdoing, he will be immediately handed back his Central Contract.”

On questioned about Shami’s participation in the upcoming IPL matches, the BCCI said that Delhi Daredevils, which has taken Shami in their team at the time of auctions, will take the final call, and that the franchise has to decide whether they want Shami in the league or not.

Also Read: Committee of Administrators directs BCCI to probe alleged financial dealings by Md. Shami in Pakistan

Rajeev Shukla, IPL Governing Council Chairman, said, “We have decided that we will go by the report submitted by ACU chief Neeraj Kumar. Based on recommendations, a final decision will be taken. We have nothing to do with anybody’s private life. If he gets a clean chit, then he can play. If he doesn’t, then he won’t. This is what we have decided. The report will come in next four-five days, till then we will wait for the report.”

Former Indian skipper and current president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Sourav Ganguly positively said that the whole matter will be solved soon. “It’s a personal thing (of Shami) and I don’t wish to comment,” he said. Shami plays for Bengal in domestic cricket.