By IANS,
London/Dubai : The International Cricket Council (ICC) Saturday launched fresh investigations after British daily The Sun raised doubts on the scoring pattern of Pakistan in Friday’s one-day international against England at The Oval in London.
The Sun reported that insidious activities involving manipulating passages of play such as the number of runs scored in a block of overs during Pakistan’s innings took place in the match. Pakistan won the match by 23 runs.
The daily had informed the ICC about the incident on the basis of call details between a person based in Dubai and an alleged bookie in Delhi.
Following the information received from the British newspaper, the ICC feels a full investigation is warranted.
ICC’s chief executive Haroon Lorgat said 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. We, therefore, feel it is incumbent upon us to launch a full enquiry into this particular game although 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,” Lorgat said in a statement.
“We thank The Sun newspaper for its information and cooperation in this regard, and we will work with its staff and sources to ensure the full truth surrounding this match is ascertained,” he added.
Lorgat went on to add that the ICC maintains a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket.
“As a matter of course, we follow 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,” he said.
The latest investigations come after three Pakistani players — Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif — were provisionally suspended by the ICC on charges of spot-fixing.
The three have been accused of accepting money from a London-based bookie Majeed Mazhar for bowling deliberate no-balls in the Lord’s Test. The incident was revealed by The News of the World in a sting operation.
ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) and the Scotland Yard are investigating the spot-fixing scandal.