ICC probing Pak match-fixing claims
The International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption unit has been investigating Pakistan’s performance in their Sydney Test defeat against Australia in January, it was confirmed on Thursday.
Australia won by 36 runs despite conceding a first-innings deficit and allegations of match-fixing have surrounded the game, with a parliamentary committee in Pakistan summoning top officials to answer questions.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt, tour coach Intikhab Alam and former captain Younis Khan were among those summoned after video footage of a PCB meeting was leaked to the media, showing players and former officials raising suspicions about fixing during the Australia tour.
Lord Condon, chairman of the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU) until he retires at the end of next month, told a press conference at Lord’s: “That has been an ongoing investigation since the time.
“It is a match and series that worried us, we spent a lot of time talking to the players and PCB. The challenge is finding where is the solid fact.
“What you have there is a lot of strife within the team and Pakistan politics with rivals camps making allegations. We are satisfied that was a totally dysfunctional tour from a Pakistan point of view.
“The dysfunctionality in the dressing room led to players not performing well, to maybe players potentially underperforming deliberately.”
The performance of wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has been highlighted after he dropped three catches and missed a straightforward run out.
Condon added: “What we are trying to establish is whether that was because rival camps wanted to do down captains or potential captains. Or whether they were doing something more serious, for a financial fix.”
“My prediction is you will never totally eradicate it from cricket. There will always be that temptation. But we had a cadre of modern players who know the risks and are playing for the right reasons.”
— AFP
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