DUBAI, (Reuters) – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not found any “compelling evidence” of corruption against any player or support staff in the Sept. 17 one-day match between England and Pakistan at The Oval.
The ICC said yesterday the investigation was complete for now but if new and corroborating evidence came to light, its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) would re-open the case.
“…the ACSU has verified all the available information and concluded that there was no compelling evidence to suspect individual players or support staff,” the governing body said in a statement after its two-day board meeting.
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who led the team during the match was happy the investigation was over.
“I had always said we played fairly and I had full confidence in my players, I am happy our position has been vindicated,” Afridi told Reuters.
“We tried to remain focused on the cricket in England and won two matches in the one-day series. I am happy this issue is now behind us and we can now concentrate on the series against South Africa,” he said.
Coach Waqar Younis said it was high time Pakistan cricket got some good news.
“The news of the investigation was disturbing so I am happy it is over now,” he added.
REVIEW MEASURES
The ICC also decided to independently review anti-corruption measures and asked member boards to initiate independent enquiries into any allegation of corruption in domestic cricket.
It said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had agreed to introduce a domestic anti-corruption code, modelled on the one ACSU has.
“PCB must act and be seen to be acting to uphold the zero-tolerance attitude to corruption in sport.
“In this regard, the PCB is required to conduct a thorough review of player integrity issues across all authorised cricket in Pakistan and report back to the Pakistan task team within 30 days,” the ICC said.
The ICC launched an investigation into the third one-day match against England, which Pakistan won by 22 runs, following information from a British newspaper about an allegedly suspicious scoring pattern in the tourists’ innings.
“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,” ICC President Sharad Pawar said.
The ICC board was updated on the spot-fixing allegations made against Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir during the tour of England. The three players, who have denied any wrongdoing, were provisionally suspended.
Proposals for test and one-day international leagues and a World Cup reduced to 10 teams from the 2015 edition were approved.
The governing body also ruled out relocating its headquarters from Dubai.