Calcutta/New Delhi: The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), on Thursday, cleared Mohammed Shami of corruption charges levelled by his wife Hasin Jahan. 

The India speedster has been offered a Grade ‘B’ annual contract, which will make him richer by Rs 3 crore. 

“The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) had requested Mr Neeraj Kumar, former Police Commissioner of Delhi and Head of BCCI Anti-Corruption Unit, to investigate the allegations against Mohd. Shami insofar as they pertain to the provisions of the BCCI Anti-Corruption Code.

“Mr Neeraj Kumar has submitted his confidential report to the CoA. Based on the conclusions in the said report, the CoA is of the view that no further actions/proceedings under the BCCI anti-corruption code are warranted in the matter.

“For this reason, the BCCI shall proceed with offering a Grade ‘B’ annual retainership contract to Mohd. Shami,” the CoA said in a statement.

The CoA had specifically asked its ACU chief Kumar to investigate charges that the pacer accepted money from one Mohammed bhai through a Pakistani woman named Alishba. Shami’s wife, though, didn’t charge him of fixing.

That there will be no further probe and Shami being offered a Grade ‘B’ contract also means he will be having no problem whatsoever to feature in the upcoming IPL for the Delhi DareDevils.

On his part, a relieved Shami said later that he was always confident about proving his innocence. “I was under tremendous pressure, but now I feel relieved after BCCI cleared me of wrongdoing. 

“I was hurt that my loyalty and commitment was questioned. But I had full faith in the BCCI’s investigation process. I am looking forward towards getting back on the field,” he said. 

Shami admitted that the past two weeks were extremely tough for him. “I had to go through a lot in the past 10-15 days. I will channelise my anger in a positive way on the cricket field. This decision has given me courage and motivation to perform on the field. 

“I will make my bowling do all the talking now in the coming days. This is a big win for me and I am hopeful that in the coming days I will also be cleared of the remaining charges,” Shami added. 

The manner of insinuation did scare him till the BCCI investigations got over, Shami said. “I knew from within that I had done nothing wrong, but was still scared that I might get framed. I can’t thank BCCI enough.”

The BCCI brass had always maintained that they would not be judgmental about Shami’s personal life. 

“The charges of corruption against him (Shami) looked too far-fetched. He has been a committed player for India. The BCCI is happy that he has come out clean after a thorough investigation by the ACU. 

“It is only fair that he can now earn his livelihood as a professional cricketer and should be back in the field for the upcoming IPL,” said BCCI acting president CK Khanna.

The CEO of the DareDevils, Hemant Dua, was certainly happy with the development as Shami is an integral part of the team’s bowling unit. “I have received the confirmation from the BCCI that Shami has been absolved of all charges related to corruption allegations. It’s a welcome news for the franchise and we are happy to have him back. We expect him to join the camp from the very first day,” Dua said. 

Asked how much of a relief it is for the franchise as corruption charges can also adversely affect the brand, Dua said: “When it came to corruption charges, we never had an iota of doubt that Shami is innocent.”