IPL: Asad Rauf has no links with bookies, says manager

Asad Rauf, the Pakistan umpire who officiated in the IPL, has arrived in Lahore, Pakistan, according to AFP. The Mumbai Police, which arrested Gurunath Meiyappan, a top Chennai Super Kings official and son-in-law of BCCI President N Srinivasan on charges of cheating, forgery and fraud, also wants to question Rauf. Rauf was withdrawn from the upcoming Champions Trophy in England by the ICC following media reports that he was under investigation for spot-fixing.

However, Rauf's manager, Shahzad Ahmed, has denied Rauf's involvement in any corrupt practices. "Asad has no links with any bookie nor is he involved in any corrupt practice," Ahmed told PTI. "He has had a very clean career. I think it is totally unfair the way the media has taken it for granted."

Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of police (crime), Mumbai confirmed that Rauf left India a few days ago. "He [Rauf] left the country from Delhi a few days back," Roy was quoted as saying in Hindustan Times. "Gurunath's questioning is key as it will help us 'connect a lot of dots' including that of the suspected involvement of Rauf, following which we will take a call."

AFP quoted a family source as saying: "Rauf has nothing to hide, he reached Lahore after completing his matches in the league (in India). Rauf is disappointed that he was not given a chance to clear his name and was excluded from the Champions Trophy but once his name is cleared he will resume his career in the game he loves. Rauf is bound by the ICC code so at an appropriate time he will speak."