The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided against jumping to conclusions after a report, published in the UK newspaper Sunday Times, quoted a bookmaker claiming to have fixed international matches including the World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan. While the newspaper reported that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to launch an inquiry into the claims, made by a Delhi bookmaker, the PCB said it will wait for the ‘evidence’ before making an initiative. “It depends on what evidence is presented to the PCB,” the board’s chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed reported to have said to questions, if the PCB will help the ICC in its investigation.
The semi-final was won by the Indian team, while the excessive number of dropped catches by the Pakistani fielders raised much debate among fans and experts. Despite this, the then chief investigator of the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit, Ravi Sawani, had denied any claims that the match had been suspicious, and had insisted that there was no need for any inquiry to be carried out. The Sunday Times quoted a Delhi bookie who said that tens of thousands of pounds are offered to players to throw a part of the match or a complete game. The report also mentions that the high-profile semi-final clash between India and Pakistan in Mohali, won by the hosts, was among the fixed matches.
The newspaper added that it has evidence that exposes corruption in the game and also states that help from a Bollywood actress was taken to lure the cricketers. However, Ahmed added that so far the ICC has not contacted the board. Meanwhile, another PCB official said that the board will help the ICC in case investigations provided sufficient evidence. “We are with the ICC in the battle against corruption,” said the official. “The PCB has taken concrete measures after the 2010 spot-fixing scandal and wants to root out the fixing menace.
“Primarily it’s the job of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit to figure out the case but we are ready to assist in case there’s authenticity in the matter.” However, a number of startling revelations recently caused a stir when the Sunday Times published a report which stated that an Indian bookmaker had confessed, during a drinking session with an undercover reporter, to having rigged the 2011 semi-final. Coincidentally, the same reporter also played a pivotal role in exposing the involvement of Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir, and Salman Butt in a spot-fixing case two years ago, for which the players were later convicted.
“We are grateful for the information you have provided and will launch an inquiry into these serious allegations,” an ICC spokesperson said in response to the newspaper report, confirming that the board would be looking into the matter. Meanwhile, the PCB has insisted that while they will not be taking any action until conclusive evidence is unearthed, they will be ready to provide support to the ICC in what a board official termed the “battle against corruption.” “The PCB has taken concrete measures after the 2010 spot-fixing scandal and wants to root out the fixing menace,” the official elaborated. “Primarily it’s the job of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit to figure out the case but we are ready to assist in case there’s authenticity in the matter.”
PCB not to draw into hasty conclusions
