Sreesanth in sledging claim

Dubai: Shantakumaran Sreesanth did provoke Mumbai Indian players during the match in which Harbhajan Singh slapped him, it has been claimed.

Umpire Amiesh Saheba told the Mumbai Mirror that throughout the match Sreesanth was sledging his opponents.

Following the disclosure, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sought an explanation from Saheba and has withdrawn him from Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.

'Petulant schoolboy'

Niranjan Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, said in a statement: "We have sought an explanation from Saheba about his statements appearing in the Mumbai Mirror. The IPL governing council has withdrawn Saheba's appointment for two matches in IPL."

According to Saheba, Sreesanth sledged Mumbai batsmen including Musavir Khote.

"He was over the top throughout the match and was acting like a petulant school boy," said Saheba.

"My colleague Aleem Dar and I warned him twice and we warned Yurvraj Singh too."

Match referee Farookh Engineer did not consult Saheba and Dar before giving his verdict on the incident.

Harbhajan has been banned for 11 IPL matches following a hearing into the incident.