Bindra calls for lifting ban on 'tainted' Indian cricketers

Chandigarh, Oct 14 (UNI) Advocating revoking of the ban on Indian cricketers allegedly involved in match-fixing, former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Inderjit Singh Bindra today said ''the Indian players have been punished enough''.

Addressing a press conference at the PCA Stadium here today, Mr Bindra, who is also president of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), said India was the only country which imposed a ban on its 'tainted' cricketers while players of other countries, including South African Herschelle Gibbs involved in the match-fixing scandal had not been punished by their respective cricket boards.

''I am calling upon the BCCI to revoke ban on the Indian players.

as the banned cricketers had been meted out enough of punishment'', he added.

''In the first place we were foolish to take action as the ICC and other countries had not taken any action and had swept the matter under the carpet. The ICC has adopted double standards and a hypocratical approach,'' he alleged.

Replying to a question the PCA chief said, ''I do not want to become chairman of the ICC. It is a matter of principle''.

He replied in the negative when asked whether his statement would tantamount to a confrontation between the ICC and BCCI.

Mr Bindra, who is also chairman of the BCCI Infrastructure Committee said the BCCI had invited all former Indian cricket captains inclduing Azharuddin for the ICC trophy matches.

''The BCCI is inviting all former cricket skippers and Azhar is one of them. His records and performances have not been deleted from the cricket books'', he added.

''There is no social boycott of any Indian cricketers'', he said.

The PCA president made it clear that the BCCI would not compromise in the interests of cricket, in the interests of players and in the interests of state associations.

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