Following weeks of turmoil and a string of allegations by British tabloids against the Pakistan cricket team, there came some respite for the nation when the game’s governing body cleared the Pakistan team of any wrongdoing in the third One-Day International (ODI) against England at The Oval.
The allegations were brought by The Sun and the ICC, convinced by the data, launched an investigation into the ODI before thanking the tabloid for their help in the matter.
However, after almost four weeks of investigation by its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), the ICC was forced to backtrack and claim insufficient evidence to charge Pakistan.
“The ACSU has verified all the available information and concluded that there was no compelling evidence to suspect individual players or support staff,” said the ICC in a statement following a two-day governing board meeting in Dubai.
“The investigation is now complete but if new and corroborating evidence comes to light then clearly the ACSU will re-open the matter,” added the statement.
PCB urged to ‘act’ in curbing corruption
Meanwhile, the ICC also urged the PCB to ensure zero-tolerance on corruption in cricket and assist the Pakistan Task Team for the purpose. The game’s governing body also directed the PCB to implement a competency-based education system for players and a proper disciplinary process for the sport.
Similarly, guidelines laid down by the ICC also include the introduction of a domestic anti-corruption code in the light of ICC rules besides implementing a deterrent and detection process to protect the game from any wrongdoing. The board has been given a month’s time to achieve the instructions.
“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,” said the ICC statement while warning that action would be taken if the guidelines are not followed.
“If the PCB fails to the satisfaction of the Board [acting in consultation with the Pakistan Task Team] within the next 30 days, the Board will consider what further action [including, if appropriate, sanctions] is required in the circumstances.”
The ICC has also asked the PCB to urge their players to provide relevant information to the ACSU which it said would be kept confidential but used to rid the sport of the menace.
ICC doubts PCB governance
The ICC has raised questions on the competency of the PCB as it asked for improvements in the administration of the game in Pakistan.
The Task Team, which will see matters pertaining to Pakistan cricket, will also assist the PCB in bringing in reforms.
PCB ‘welcomes’ The Oval verdict
The PCB welcomed the outcome of the investigation and termed it “welcome news” for the Pakistan team.
“It’s welcome news for us and a relief that our team has come out clean of any wrongdoings in the match,” PCB legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi told The Express Tribune while adding that the sport’s governing body seems to be committed to helping Pakistan out of the current crisis. “The measures the ICC has taken are friendly and hopefully it would help Pakistan cricket. The PCB would follow their instructions to root out the corruption menace.”
Meanwhile, Rizvi said that the PCB would wait for the outcome of the spot-fixing report before taking legal action against any newspaper.
