ICC, PCB call for ruthless action against fixers
The ICC and the PCB have assured a clean probe of the spot-fixing case involving Pakistan cricketers.
KARACHI:
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have assured a clean probe of the spot-fixing case involving Pakistan cricketers besides promising ruthless action against anyone guilty of the claims.
The PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt called on the ICC President Sharad Pawar in New Delhi yesterday to discuss the spot-fixing case that involves Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir. While the trio has been provisionally suspended by the ICC, Wahab Riaz has also been questioned by the Scotland Yard but no charges have been placed on any cricketer.
The PCB chairman told reporters his visit was not to ask the ICC chief for leniency against any Pakistani players but to ensure a fair result comes out.
“It was an informal meeting as I wanted to congratulate Pawar on his appointment as the ICC president,” said Ijaz. “There is no question of asking for leniency as the PCB also has zero tolerance for corruption in cricket.
“We will not spare any player, even Amir who has attracted a lot of sympathy from various quarters. I don’t believe in any conspiracy theory.”
The PCB chairman also denied reports of differences between the PCB and the ICC following the suspension of the accused trio.
“We’re also a part of the ICC and we are working with it to preserve the sanctity of the game. Until the suspension is removed, they cannot play.”
Scotland Yard report expected soon
Sharad Pawar said the Scotland Yard would give a decisive report on case soon and it is only then that the ICC would be able to take any action against players if found guilty of spot-fixing.
“Scotland Yard is carrying out the probe and that will not take long. Neither the PCB nor ICC will interfere in the process,” said Pawar.
Meanwhile, Pawar and Ijaz discussed the revival of a bilateral series between Pakistan and India but nothing, according to Butt, has been finalised.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2010.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have assured a clean probe of the spot-fixing case involving Pakistan cricketers besides promising ruthless action against anyone guilty of the claims.
The PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt called on the ICC President Sharad Pawar in New Delhi yesterday to discuss the spot-fixing case that involves Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir. While the trio has been provisionally suspended by the ICC, Wahab Riaz has also been questioned by the Scotland Yard but no charges have been placed on any cricketer.
The PCB chairman told reporters his visit was not to ask the ICC chief for leniency against any Pakistani players but to ensure a fair result comes out.
“It was an informal meeting as I wanted to congratulate Pawar on his appointment as the ICC president,” said Ijaz. “There is no question of asking for leniency as the PCB also has zero tolerance for corruption in cricket.
“We will not spare any player, even Amir who has attracted a lot of sympathy from various quarters. I don’t believe in any conspiracy theory.”
The PCB chairman also denied reports of differences between the PCB and the ICC following the suspension of the accused trio.
“We’re also a part of the ICC and we are working with it to preserve the sanctity of the game. Until the suspension is removed, they cannot play.”
Scotland Yard report expected soon
Sharad Pawar said the Scotland Yard would give a decisive report on case soon and it is only then that the ICC would be able to take any action against players if found guilty of spot-fixing.
“Scotland Yard is carrying out the probe and that will not take long. Neither the PCB nor ICC will interfere in the process,” said Pawar.
Meanwhile, Pawar and Ijaz discussed the revival of a bilateral series between Pakistan and India but nothing, according to Butt, has been finalised.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2010.