PADIHAM professional Ajay Sharma could be banned from playing league Cricket in this country following new evidence thrown up by the match-fixing investigation, according to Indian newspaper reports this morning.

Sharma has been named in a 162-page report by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) along with several other Indian and international cricketers --including England's Alec Stewart -- and stands accused of providing information on matches to Indian bookmaker M K Gupta (known as MK).

It was also alleged that Sharma was involved in getting a tailor-made pitch prepared for a test match on the instructions of MK.

The Times of India reported this morning that the BCCI -- India's cricket board -- were to send a letter to the English Cricket Board (ECB) advocating that Sharma be prohibited from playing in this country.

That would be a disaster for Padiham, who were hoping to have the all-rounder, who scored 841 runs and took 53 wickets last season, back for next season. Any recommendation to the ECB to ban Sharma could also have massive implications for Blackburn Northern pro Ata-ur-Rehman, who was named in a similar investigation in Pakistan, but incurred only a proposed international ban.

It is thought that Sharma has signed a new contract for Padiham next season.

Even if the ECB rejects the BCCI's recommendation, it is still a strong possibility that Sharma will not be able to play league cricket next season.

If he is banned from playing first class cricket in India, he may not accrue the necessary number of first class appearances he needs to obtain a work permit to play as a professional in this country.

Also named in the report is Sharma's close friend and former Rishton pro Mohammed Azharuddin, who admitted to the investigative team that he fixed two one-day internationals in 1996 and 1997.

Sharma denied any involvement.

Former Lowerhouse professional Manoj Prabhakar was also named. It is alleged that he introduced a number of foreign players to MK and provided "information" about matches.

Pankaj Tripathi, a close friend of Sharma's who introduced the player to the club last season said: "Ajay has always protested his innocence and I spoke to him at the weekend and he said everything was fine there.

"But after this report anything could happen. He could be banned from first class cricket or just international cricket but if he is banned from first class cricket I don't see how he will be able to play enough games between now and next summer to quailfy."