Cricket controversy: 3rd ODI fixed? ICC to dig up more skeletons in Pakistan's closet
The eventful (rather, the fateful) Pakistan tour of England continues to throw up one controversy after another.
Just when it seemed that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 had finally put the off-field problems in the past with a remarkable One-Day match win at Oval, it seems the men in green are back to square one. Immediately after the match, the ICC issued a press release that they
were tipped off by a British newspaper regarding match-fixing elements in the 3rd ODI, and after observing the match they believe the predictions were proven true. ICC’s Anti Corruption Unit is now investigating the match.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Haroon-Lorgat-c61719, the Chief Executive of ICC, has said that it was not actually the final result of the match but a trend in scoring that was predicted. Lorgat said that there was "a certain scoring pattern" that warranted further
investigation.
"We feel it is incumbent upon us to launch a full inquiry."
The latest investigation comes as another blow to Pakistan’s forsaken England tour. Four members of the team that played on Friday are under the scanner for alleged spot-fixing.
The International Cricket Council has long been criticised of not being proactive and instead being
reactive and getting into action after an incident takes place. The Anti-Corruption Unit of ICC spends a huge sum of money every year but still no tangible results have been achieved by them. Therefore, the sport’s governing body has decided
to act swiftly against the latest spot-fixing allegation.
The (in)famous Pakistan trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were questioned by the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Scotland-c756 Yard earlier but were not charged with any offense. Later, a 4th player, Wahab Riaz, was also summoned by the
police and he was also let go without any charges (following the allegations made by the News of the World of spot-fixing in the Lord’s Test match).
All 4 players from the Pakistan team that were interviewed by the police have denied being part of any foul play and have pleaded innocent.
The latest spot-fixing allegations came hours after the match between Pakistan and England ended in the Oval. Pakistan won the match by 23 runs in spectacular fashion as Umar Gul picked up his career-best 6 wickets and led his
team to a win.
Haroon Lorgat in a statement added that: "A source informed The Sun newspaper that a certain scoring pattern would emerge during certain stages of the match and, broadly speaking, that information appeared to be correct.
"It is worth pointing out at this stage that we are not stating as fact that anything untoward has occurred. Only in the fullness of the investigation can that be established.
"We thank The Sun newspaper for its information and co-operation in this regard and we will work with its staff and sources to ensure the full truth surrounding this match is ascertained.
"The ICC maintains a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket and, as a matter of course, follows up on all credible information that is received, whatever the source.
"Any player or official found guilty of an offence will face the full rigour of our robust Anti-Corruption Code so that we can ensure the integrity of the sport is maintained."
Scotland Yard on Friday announced that an initial file containing the details and evidences of alleged corruption was forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service. CPS will now decide if they want to proceed with the case or not.
However, the implicated players Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif have said that they are prepared to contest the suspension handed to them by the ICC. Wahab Riaz for now has not been suspended by the ICC.
Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nadeem-Sarwar-c78422 said that they have been notified by the ICC of the investigation, and the board does not have a statement to make for now.
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