The ACSU was set up in 2000 after a match-fixing scandal that led to life bans for Test captains Hansie Cronje (South Africa), Mohammad Azharuddin (India) and Salim Malik (Pakistan). The unit was headed by former London Metropolitan police chief Paul Condon until June, when he retired and was replaced by another senior former British policeman, Ronnie Flanagan.
The ICC acknowledges that millions of dollars are gambled legally and illegally on every match, and says the ACSU was established when “cricket’s reputation and integrity were tarnished and in danger of being destroyed”.
The ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said the ACSU, now headed by former Northern Ireland police chief Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has been sent to London from Dubai to investigate into the matter. He also added that Pakistan’s defeat at the hands of Australia in Sydney was a Test that was still being considered suspicious by the authorities.
“You’ll remember Lord [Paul] Condon [former ACSU boss and the former chief of Scotland Yard] said a few months ago it [the Sydney Test] was still open for investigation. But with the limited powers at their disposal, it often takes a period of time for the ACSU to join the dots together that would make a case watertight.
“It hasn’t got the powers of the police or the ability of a newspaper to mount a ‘sting’ operation I can assure you, and it is well accepted ICC policy, that we adopt a zero tolerance approach to corruption. If these allegations are proven, action will be taken in a severe manner. It depends on what is proven.”
Lorgat also urged the world not to give up on Pakistan after several of their players were embroiled in spot-fixing allegations. Britain’s News of the World newspaper published the results of a ‘sting operation’ last Sunday which appeared to show how an alleged fixer had been able to ensure the deliberate bowling of no-balls by Pakistan’s Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif during the fourth Test against England at Lord’s.
“I’m extremely disappointed to say the least. I don’t have too many words, it’s not something I ever wanted to read about.”
England and Pakistan are now due to play two Twenty20 internationals in Cardiff, the first this coming Sunday, and five one-day fixtures.
But many observers have questioned how Pakistan’s tour, which continues with a warm-up match against Somerset in Taunton on Thursday, can proceed in the current climate.
“My understanding at the moment is that the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket Board will continue with the one-day series. We’ve got to keep things in perspective. It would be unfair if a couple of unsavoury individuals tarnished the reputation of the rest of the team and certainly Pakistan as a country.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2010.
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