The International Cricket Council (ICC) has hit out at criticism being levelled against its anti-corruption unit, and expressed its determination to clean up the game. The cricket governing body is clearly enraged by the suggestion that it was standing by while corruption among players continues to go unchecked.
The latest criticism of the ICC’s dilly-dallying related to Pakistani cricketers being involved in a spot-fixing arrangement with millionaire businessman Mazher Majeed during the fourth Test against England at Lord’s.
Pakistan captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir are to be questioned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan High Commission authorities in London.
They were reported to be acting at the behest of Majeed, an agent to some of the players, who claimed to have links with illegal betting markets on the subcontinent.
Majeed was arrested by the police on Saturday night and released on bail without being charged on Monday.
Pakistan is taking the issue seriously but it also has a history of reacting furiously to claims of misdeeds among their players and then backtracking later. According to the Independent, the involvement of the High Commission suggests that a compromise is probable.
The trio might not be formally suspended because the police investigation is continuing but the expedient policy would be to overlook them. The case and its fallout has brought criticism on the ICC’s policy for dealing with match-fixing.
The ICC established its ACSU after widespread match-fixing was exposed 10 years ago. Players from almost every team in the world were named at one time or other but the most serious charges were laid against Hansie Cronje, Mohammad Azharuddin and Salim Malik, captains respectively of South Africa, India and Pakistan.
An ICC spokesman made it clear on Wednesday that it was not amused by comments about the ACSU’s ineffectiveness. The ACSU is headed by Sir Ronnie Flanagan, former head of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and has five regional security managers attached to the leading countries.