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Rauf is one of the most experienced umpires in cricket

Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf has been pulled out of the Champions Trophy in England this month after he was brought in for questioning by the Mumbai police for having played a part in the match-fixing scandal that rocked the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to its core, according to reports.

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive, David Richardson, noted that Rauf’s removal from the Champions Trophy would benefit him and the cricketing community as well.

“In the wake of reports that the Mumbai Police are conducting an investigation into Asad Rauf’s activities, we feel that it is in Asad’s best interests as well as those of the sport and the event itself, that he is withdrawn from participating in the ICC Champions Trophy,” Richardson said.

The ICC refused to confirm if Rauf was indeed indicted in the IPL match-fixing scandal, which has seen three Rajasthan Royals players – Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila and India pace bowler Sreesanth – being arrested and taken into custody.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were quick to say that they had “nothing to do” and “no role to play” in this development.

“He [Rauf] is an ICC umpire and was officiating in an Indian event with the consent and approval of the ICC, and whatever has happened it’s on Indian soil,” PCB chairman, Zaka Ashraf, said. “We were only informed of his withdrawal by the ICC. We have no clue about what has happened and we have no control.

“In our next board meeting we are going to formulate a code for umpires and anyone found violating the code will be punished. So if BCCI wants our support we are happy to extend our help to them.”