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The Indian cricket board is to seek an assurance from the government that South African players Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje will not be detained over a match-fixing probe during this year’s International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy.

“We’re going to take up the issue with the (federal) home minister, home secretary and the Delhi police commissioner,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sharad Pawar told a news conference on Friday.

Batsman Gibbs and left-arm spinner Nicky Boje were named in a Delhi Police investigation into cricket match fixing during South Africa’s tour in 2000 which eventually led to a life ban for then captain, the late Hansie Cronje.

Gibbs, who accepted an offer of money from Cronje to under-perform, was banned for six months by the South African board following an inquiry in that country while Boje was let off as there was no evidence linking him to match-fixing.

The Delhi Police say the investigation remains open and have refused to provide any assurance that Gibbs and Boje would not be taken in for questioning if they toured India.

Pawar said the South African board and the ICC recently raised the issue with the BCCI to ensure the players took part in the October 7-November 5 event.

“We’ve received a letter from the South African board and the International Cricket Council President Ehsan Mani and Chief Executive Malcolm Speed have also discussed it with us,” said Pawar, also a federal minister. “If the Delhi Police asks for any information, we’ve no issue,” Pawar said. “But they should be allowed to come and allowed to go.”

Indian police asked to interview Gibbs and Boje during South Africa’s tour in 2004, prompting them to withdraw from the trip.

Source:The News

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