KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf has confirmed that the board will launch its own inquiry into thespot-fixing scandal that led to jail terms for Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.
Ashraf said that the board would first wait for a detailed report on the Southwark Crown Court case before aiming to identify those whose negligence allowed the unfortunate events to occur.
“We will aim to discover the circumstances and negligence that led to the spot-fixing scandal that has badly hurt the image of Pakistan cricket,” he said. “When the scandal happened, we had our anti-corruption officers present with the team and we want to know how this thing happened.”
Butt, Asif and Amir were given sentences ranging from six to 30 months for their role in a gambling-inspired plot to bowl deliberate no-balls in the fourth Test against England at Lord’s last year.
‘Board to cooperate
with the ICC’
Ashraf, who took over as the PCB chief last month, said he would also be sending a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) reiterating Pakistan’s support for the anti-corruption drive of the world governing body.
“PCB will never support players who are found involved in corruption or fixing. We want to assure the ICC that we will cooperate in any investigation initiated by them.”
Media reports have suggested that the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit could launch a more detailed investigation into fixing allegations on basis of the evidence submitted to the court during the trial.
Ashraf also revealed that the PCB will soon be establishing a separate vigilance department for eradication of corruption from Pakistan cricket. This department will be given the authority to monitor all movements and actions of cricketers. The chairman vowed that he will work towards ensuring corruption-free cricket in the country.
“I will devise a comprehensive strategy to shut the door on corruption in Pakistan cricket forever,” he said.
(With additional input from Owais Raza)
Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2011.
COMMENTS (8)
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"""The trio, who have been ensnared by the British legal and penal system, could have been saved from this embarrassment and jail terms. But, alas, we are a nation of contradictions. We are a confused, weak and coward nation. We are a big failure in solving and handling intricate or even simple issues at national and international levels. Other countries and nations can go to any extent to save and defend their stars or even ordinary citizens if they have committed a ‘mistake’ ‘ an offence’ or have been ‘trapped’ for personal gains. But, frankly, we are quite the opposite. We make our heroes ‘criminals’ even before anything is proved against them. A foreigner can visit this ‘Land of the Pure’ and involve himself in any kind of illegal activities or even commit murder. No one can dare touch him if he is an American or British. He is even allowed to go home with full protocol. But we care least about our star players what to say about ordinary citizens, considered as worthless insects. This is our national character."""
anybodyagree .. . . .????
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: Exactly. What's the use. Its the proverbial: close the stable door after the horse has bolted.
I sincerely hope that this investigation results in a meaningful inquiry. PCB can further impose a ban on these trio, after their UK jail tim,e and against the incompetent management during the series. Corruption in cricket is there stay, it has happened in the past, and it will take place in future too so lets get the mess sorted out and design an effective protocol to handle such scenarios in future.
This is one of the examples as how Pakistanis think when the water get over above their heads.
The corrupt crickets were tried by a British Court and found them guilty and have sent them to jail.
After getting over from the long sleep, now the PCB plans internal inquiry into spot-fixing scandal after the nation has faced the embarrassment and the foreign media have not left any stone unturned to publicize the shameful acts of Pakistani Cricketers.
Why don’t you people go to a shop from where you can buy some sense.
BRAVO PCB OFFICIALS.
Atleast we are learning the hard way.
Its bit late for all the drama !!!! I suggest PCB start putting policies to avoid such incidents and agree on standard mandatory punishments for players caught getting involved in future !!!!
No doubt the players committed a henious crime & should not go unpunished but who trapped them & arranged to fix cameras and other gadgets in the room.They will pass their time and come back, but what about the culprits pointed out by Justice Qayyum who are enjoying their lives earning millions of rupees by their cricketing skills.Let us see Zaka Ashraf sees to it or look it through NRO eyes.