The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hit back at reports that the board did not support the three tainted cricketers accused of spot-fixing.
In a statement the PCB said: “We note with deep regret that an attempt is being made through the media that PCB failed in its duty to protect the three cricketers who were accused of spot-fixing and were later banned by an independent ICC Tribunal in addition to being charged by London Police.”
“Mohammad Asif had stated that had PCB suspended him and the other two cricketers after their rooms were searched by London Police, the ICC would not have itself suspended the cricketers. The factual position is that PCB initially went out of the way to assist its cricketers by engaging top ranking law firm of UK in addition to ensuring that legal advisor PCB accompanies the players even to the police station. During all this time the said cricketers maintained their innocence and were adamant that they have been falsely implicated. Under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, once the cricketers were provisionally suspended it was incumbent upon PCB as per ICC laws to withdraw all material support as the cricketers had a case to answer for their personal actions to the game’s governing body, the ICC.”
“Therefore the allegation by Mohammad Asif of falsely accusing PCB of dereliction of duty is incorrect and an afterthought,” the PCB said.
