India's cricket board will appeal against a court order that lifted fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth's life ban for match-fixing, a senior official told AFP on Friday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not agree with the Kerala state high court order that acquitted Sreesanth for lack of proof, the official said on condition of anonymity.
"We don't agree with the order. It definitely needs to be challenged and within a week the appeal would be filed in the Kerala high court. "We were always clear on this case as the board is firm on its zero tolerance policy on corruption and match-fixing," the official said.
Sreesanth, 34, slammed BCCI's decision to appeal the verdict and vouched to play again for the country. "Cmon @bcci this is worst u can do to anyone that too who is proven innocent not just once but again and again... don't know why u doing this?" the cricketer tweeted.
"@bcci I'm not begging, I'm asking to give my livelihood back. It's my right. U guys are not above God. I will play again." Sreesanth and two other Rajasthan Royals players were banned for life over alleged involvement in betting and spot-fixing following a 2013 scandal in the Indian Premier League.