PCB announces inquiry into controversy
Zaka Ashraf vows to assist ICC in future investigation.
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.
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.