The Pakistan cricket squad flew to England seeking to win next month’s Champions Trophy and avoid any repetition of the scandal that marred their last British tour in 2010.
A special “vigilance” officer will accompany the squad in addition to a regular security officer.
The now defunct News of the World had disclosed the spot-fixing scandal in 2010, where deliberate no-balls were bowled in return for money during Pakistan’s Lord’s Test against England. It resulted in bans on Salman Butt, the captain then, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir as well as jail terms for the trio and their agent Mazhar Majeed.
For this tour, the players have been briefed extensively to avoid any controversy.
“We have briefed the players that this is a very sensitive tour and they should maintain strict discipline as we don’t want a repeat of 2010 events,” said Naveed Akram Cheema, the Pakistan team manager, to reporters in Lahore. “Players are told to restrict their off-the-field movement.”
Pakistan will play two One-Day Internationals each against Scotland and Ireland before competing in the eight-nation Champions Trophy in England from June 6-23.
They are in group B along with India, West Indies and South Africa. Australia, the defending champions, England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand form group A.