Cricket News: Mixed News for PCB as ICC Clamps Down on Match-Fixers
The International Cricket Council held a press conference in Dubai today where they came out with a course of action that is to be followed by the Pakistan Cricket Board if they are to avoid sanctions from the governing body
of the game.
The President and Chief Executive of the ICC reiterated their aim to absolve the game from fixing offenders whilst directing PCB to take strong actions at the national level.
There was some positive news also for the beleaguered cricket administrators of the game in Pakistan when the ICC declared that there was no compelling evidence of spot-fixing in the third ODI between England and Pakistan
that was played in Oval last month.
The nail biter was won by Pakistan, yet immediately after the match the ICC announced that a full scale investigation was on after they received reports that a certain pattern emerged in the Pakistani innings which was indicated
before the start of the match by certain bookies.
After completing the investigations, the ICC released the following statement on the match.
“Following extensive investigations into allegations about the One-Day International between England and Pakistan at The Oval in London on 17 September, the ACSU has verified all the available information and concluded that
there was no compelling evidence to suspect individual players or support staff. The investigation is now complete but if new and corroborating evidence comes to light then clearly the ACSU will re-open the matter”.
Meanwhile, at least half of the statement was based around the expectations of the governing body from perhaps its most notorious member: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755.
The ICC Board, which re-affirmed its zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket, will work with the Pakistan Cricket Board through an enhanced role for the Pakistan Task Team in order to protect the integrity of the
game and restore confidence.
ICC President Sharad Pawar said: “We reiterated our support for the strong and decisive action which was necessary to protect the integrity of the great game of cricket. We have stressed, without any comment on the present
case, that we will not tolerate any form of corruption in cricket and that we will work tirelessly to root out those who have acted in a way which brings cricket into disrepute.”
He added that all measures would be put in place to ensure that the great game of cricket is cleansed of the match and spot-fixing menace that has done the rounds for the last many years.
“The future of our great sport depends on the public maintaining their confidence in the games they are watching. We owe it to every player, administrator, every cricket lover to win this battle against a very small minority
who may wish to corrupt this game. The matter of integrity is non-negotiable. Integrity and honesty are the bedrock of our game and ICC will protect that foundation stone with everything at its disposal.”
The ICC, in its media release, also gave details of a series of measures that they expect from the PCB.
These include the provision of a board advisory to all players reminding them of their individual and collective obligations to ensure that the integrity of the game is upheld, and of the severe consequences in case there
is a failure to do so.
The administrators of the game in Pakistan were also told that they have to uphold the zero-tolerance attitude to corruption in sport.
Subsequently, PCB is also required to conduct a thorough review of player integrity issues across all authorized cricket in Pakistan and report back to the Pakistan Task Team.
The ICC also warned the PCB that they need to take some concrete steps within 30 days, failing which they could face strong action, including sanctions.
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