Pak in a fix again
London, Sept. 18: Coming out with fresh revelations that the scoring pattern in the third one-day international between England and Pakistan at the Oval in London on Friday was prearranged, The Sun reported that an individual in the Pakistani team camp is believed to be the ringleader, but is yet to name him.
“The Sun is withholding details of the alleged fix while the investigation continues — but we can reveal that horrified ICC chiefs launched their investigation before the Pakistan innings had even finished. The probe centres on an individual within the team camp who is believed to be the ringleader, taking money from bookies and ensuring their orders are carried out,” the paper said.
The Sun had informed ICC inspectors of the alleged spot-fixing before the match began. The result of the match, which was won by Pakistan, is not being investigated, only scoring rates in parts of Pakistan’s innings are under suspicion, the Sun said.
The ICC is also investigating whether the same cartel rigged a Test between Pakistan and Australia in July after allegedly paying players £700,000, the newspaper claimed.
The ICC probe comes just weeks after an investigation into illegal spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test between Pakistan and England was launched by the cricket council and Scotland Yard.
The ICC said on Saturday that a full investigation was warranted after receiving information from the newspaper and its source. “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,” ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement issued by the ICC from Dubai.
“We therefore feel it is incumbent upon us to launch a full inquiry 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,” he added.
Mr Lorgat reiterated the ICC’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket. “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,” he said.
The ECB on Saturday issued a statement seeking assurances from the ICC president that “the ICC does not have evidence which could result in either charges or suspension of players prior to the conclusion of the current NatWest Series”.
“No substantive evidence has been shared with the ECB or PCB at this stage,” the ECB said in a statement after a board meeting.
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