New Delhi, July 19: Former India batsman and Uttar Pradesh captain Mohammad Kaif on reacted sharply to the alleged bribery scandal unearthed by a sting operation, which claimed that a member of Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajeev Shukla's personal staff sought bribes to facilitate selection of players. IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla's Aide Resigns Following Bribery Scandal.

A local Hindi news channel telecast an alleged phone conversation between Akram Saifi, an executive assistant of Shukla, and cricketer Rahul Sharma in which Saifi is heard seeking favours in "cash and kind" to ensure Sharma's selection in the state team. Sex For Selection? UP Cricketer Accuses Rajiv Shukla's Assistant of Asking Him To Arrange Prostitutes.

Kaif urged Shukla, who is currently the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) secretary, to ensure a fair probe into the allegations and weed out corruption from the association.

"Shocked to hear about the extent of corruption in UP Cricket. Young talent being curbed by corrupt agents asking for favours. Hope @ShuklaRajiv ji ensures a fair investigation and justice to the young talent & helps restore UP Cricket.," Kaif, who recently retired from all forms of cricket wrote on Twitter.

"I stand by all those who have been exploited," he added. While Saifi has denied all the charges, Sharma, a little known cricketer has alleged that the former had sought favours for including him in the state team.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 20, 2018 11:46 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).