Match fixing: PCB not jumping to conclusions

Offici­al says board will wait for ‘eviden­ce’ on claims.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided against jumping to conclusions after a report, published in the UK newspaper Sunday Times, quoted a bookmaker claiming to have fixed international matches including the World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan.

While the newspaper reported that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to launch an inquiry into the claims, made by a Delhi bookmaker, the PCB said it will wait for the ‘evidence’ before making an initiative.

“It depends on what evidence is presented to the PCB,” the board’s chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed told The Express Tribune when asked if the PCB will help the ICC in its investigation.

The Sunday Times quoted a Delhi bookie who said that tens of thousands of pounds are offered to players to throw a part of the match or a complete game. The report also mentions that the high-profile semi-final clash between India and Pakistan in Mohali, won by the hosts, was among the fixed matches. The newspaper added that it has evidence that exposes corruption in the game and also states that help from a Bollywood actress was taken to lure the cricketers.

However, Ahmed added that so far the ICC has not contacted the board.

Meanwhile, another PCB official said that the board will help the ICC in case investigations provided sufficient evidence.

“We are with the ICC in the battle against corruption,” said the official.

“The PCB has taken concrete measures after the 2010 spot-fixing scandal and wants to root out the fixing menace.

“Primarily it’s the job of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit to figure out the case but we are ready to assist in case there’s authenticity in the matter.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2012.