The Indian Cricket Players' Association has opposed the Board of Control for Cricket in India's decision to suspend Abhijit Kale before he is proved guilty and said the Maharashtra batsman deserves a "fair hearing".
"In the matter pertaining to Abhijit Kale, the Indian Cricket Players Association feels that the player deserves a fair hearing and should be well represented," ICPA secretary Arun Lal said in a statement in Kolkata.
Opposing the BCCI decision's to suspend Kale from all cricket tournaments conducted by the Board, Lal said, "There should be no question of a suspension before the inquiry is completed.
"Only if allegations are proved conclusively, should a disciplinary committee, consisting of a representative of the players, deliberate over the matter," he said.
The BCCI meted out the punishment to Kale after two national selectors, Kiran More and Pranab Roy, alleged that the player had offered them Rs one million each for a place in the India 'A' side.
The Board appointed Bar Council of India chairman D V Subba Rao to probe the allegations and asked him to submit his findings within 15 days.
Meanwhile, faced with growing criticism of its decision to suspend Kale, the BCCI summoned an emergency meeting of its working committee to discuss the whole issue pertaining to the bribery controversy.
BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya said the meeting would be held next Sunday in Delhi.
Since Kale is a cricketer of the Maharashtra Cricket Association, the authorised representative of the MCA would also be invited to attend the meeting as a special invitee, he said.
The BCCI on Friday decided to suspend Kale from playing any cricket conducted by the Board after two national selectors - Kiran More and Pranab Roy - alleged that he had offered them Rs one million each for a place in the national side.
The Board appointed Bar Council of India chairman D V Subba Rao as the Commissioner of Inquiry and asked him to submit the findings within 15 days.
