Cricket: ICC praises PCB for fight against corruption

Education Programme results provide respite from spot-fixing scandal .

KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) handed Pakistan a timely respite from the looming cloud of allegations in the spot-fixing trial giving the country’s fight against corruption a thumbs-up in its meeting held in Dubai last week.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) launched an education programme with Wasim Bari at its helm after being forced to do so by the ICC in the aftermath of the scandal that broke out in England last year. The former wicket-keeper was handed the task to educate local players and create awareness among them to fight corruption.

According to officials close to the ICC’s Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ASCU), the PCB was praised for its efforts in the meeting.

“The ASCU is satisfied by measures taken by the PCB,” an official told The Express Tribune. “However, it wants continued efforts against the menace and no  complacency.”

Meanwhile, the ICC, while refusing to share details, praised the PCB for its efforts.

“We do not comment on ASCU matters but the ICC did discuss domestic anti-corruption codes,” said ICC’s Head of Media and Communications Colin Gibson. “The ICC and members are well aware of the need to enhance educational and preventative measures in this crucial area. The PCB were one of the first to embrace the ICC insistence on a domestic anti corruption code and have duly earned praised.”

‘Never-ending battle’ 

Bari said the situation was improving but felt it was a continuous fight against corruption. “Our domestic players are better educated now,” said Bari. “But the efforts will continue as the menace will continue to disturb our players.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2011.