http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 vs. England Oval ODI was clean as no evidence found: ICC
International Cricket Council has confirmed that there was 'no compelling evidence' of any transgression found in the third ODI between Pakistan and England at the Oval last month.
The said match was won by the visiting Pakistan team by 22 runs but had become the subject of conjecture when British tabloid ‘The Sun’ alleged that the scoring pattern of Pakistan was pre-planned. The newspaper had informed the ICC about the scoring patterns before the match started and the International Cricket Council, as a result, announced that a "full investigation was warranted".
The ICC statement after the investigations stated, "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 statement further opined that the investigations are now complete but any corroborating evidence regarding the allegation will allow the Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) of the ICC to reopen the matter.
The spot-fixing allegations about the Oval fixture got furious reactions from Pakistan captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ijaz-Butt-c64128. Afridi described the allegations as “rubbish” while Butt suggested that it was "a conspiracy to defraud Pakistan and Pakistan cricket". The chairman PCB went on to point the finger at the English players of misconduct; allegations that he later apologised for after the England and Wales Cricket Board demanded a full apology.
Though Butt’s suggestions of conspiracy against Pakistan cricket came out of the blue, the Pakistan Cricket Board is relieved after the International Cricket Council confirmed that no evidence of wrongdoing in the Oval game had been found.
The International Cricket Council and its Anti Corruption and Security Unit were criticised heavily for its handling of the matter at the time because the ICC had not informed anybody in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that an official investigation was being launched against their team. Rather, the chairman of the PCB, the team manager and skipper had learnt of the ICC investigations through media reports.
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