“The ICC, as per its standard operating procedure, does not comment on matters relating to the ACSU,” says an ICC official. PHOTO: AFP
The Daily Mail, in a report it tagged as a ‘special investigation’, said the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) was set to probe alleged ‘wrongdoings’ in the recently-held series. It claimed ‘suspicious batting patterns’ were identified during the series which Pakistan won 3-1.
The report particularly highlighted the third match of the series – in which West Indies made a stunning comeback to avoid defeat – and Pakistan’s close win in the final match. Doubts were also cast on the second match, in which Pakistan made a slow start after being set a target of 233 runs.
“Field placings for the final over [in the tied game], when number 11 Jason Holder and fellow tail-ender Kemar Roach crashed 14 off six balls from Wahab Riaz, will be scrutinised by officers of the ACSU, along with a failed run-out bid off the last delivery,” the report maintained.
“The fourth ODI, which saw Pakistan win by four wickets off the final ball, will also to be scrutinised. ACSU officers will also analyse patterns on spread-betting sites around the first 18 balls of the West Indies innings, when only one run was scored,” it added.
‘There are some classic signs [of wrong doing],’ the report quoted ECB information manager Chris Watts, who also looks into corruption in domestic cricket in England, was quoted as saying.
PCB concerned over claims
The allegations shook the Pakistan Cricket Board’s headquarters, as top officials instantly got in touch with the ICC.
“We are concerned,” a PCB official told The Express Tribune. “The PCB maintains a zero tolerance policy on corruption and we are in the loop with the ICC on this.”
“On the other hand, we are also contemplating a legal action if these allegations proved wrong,” he added, however.
An ICC spokesperson when contacted refused to speak on the matter.
“The ICC, as per its standard operating procedure, does not comment on matters relating to the ACSU,” said the official.
Meanwhile, a former cricketer expressed discontent on the report.
“Why do such premature reports come up when Pakistan is involved?” he asked. “Many suspicious games [in which Pakistan is not involved] are being played nowadays … the ACSU may be probing them too, but they don’t get the hype Pakistan receives.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2013.
COMMENTS (22)
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I think Bravo's captain's choices to bowl at the death at 12.00+, His refusal to bowl Sammy who was at 3.1 or thereabout with six overs still available is well worth review. Narine and others to even attempt to cut off boundaries. Hmm!
nobody, especially someone from a third country altogether should have the right to make these allegations without any proof from the ICC. The pakistan cricket board should take action against the daily mail
@M It is the habit of Dhoni to hit winning 6 in most of the the game he plays no matter which country so west indies is no exceptional.BTW the ICC is investigating pakistan not India,Australia or England. Better you people and your board cooperate with them instead of showing your frustration on India here.This will not work and is only for self satisfaction.
Anil, I heard cut the crap but what's cut the crab??
Shame on disgruntle ICC. Gayle gave away his wicket in the last match. How about looking into that? How about looking in IPL. This ICC body is a useless waste of money and its time that it should be scrapped.
I think we all should strongly snub ICC on its website infact curse it and show the mirror.
The Mail Tabloid should first clarify the following:
1) Does the Pakistani Cricket Team consist of gods of Cricket that no other team can beat them and they only lose/tie when they fix a match?
2) Why is the West Indies team on match-fixing watch for the 5th match, when there have never been substantial fixing allegations on the Carribean boys (Also, they share the same Queen with England ;-)). Besides, if the match result was fixed and Pakistan won, then I wish all the matches are fixed the same way :-D
3) Is Umar Akmal's keeping on par with Adam Gilchrist or Mark Boucher that he is not expected to mess-up in tense situations like the case on the final delivery of the 3rd match? Even the South Africans messed up on the last delivery of the WC 99 match against the Aussies.
4) Can't the English media come to terms with the fact that perhaps Pakistanis are not always involved in match-fixing/spot-fixing?
And I don't even want to bring up the ongoing Ashes series.
Please come out of your racist shell and give credit where it's due. Congratulations to the Pakistani team on winning the One-day and T20 series.
Well, Daily Mail is the English version of USA's Fox News Network. They were the same paper who accused Pakistan of tampering and fixing in the ODI series in England in 2010, which turned out to be false. If Holder was good enough to hit a six of the second last ball at will, then I don't understand why he was batting at No. 11 in the order. He should have replaced Gayle in the openers slot. Anyone who has played some cricket, will appreciate the fact that it is very difficult to score a set amount of runs in an over. Someone betting on a particular result would have to ensure that the objective is achieved. 14 Runs off an over was too far-fetched. It is about time that the ECB focus on their domestic championship, Ashes etc. The one sided Ashes series where it seems that the English a playing a club level side should be investigated as well. Also, what about Dhoni smashing 14 runs of the last over to win the tri-series. While spot-fixing may still exist, it is linked to the huge betting syndicate operating out of India. Can we just appreciate some decent cricket try to talk some sense rather than accusing the team of any wrong doing before anything has been proved.
@Anil: Yes Anil, we do cut "Crabs", but on our dining tables. lol.
In short, some people can't afford to see Pakistan wining any match !!
The Daily Mail and the ICC must be investigated for being 'over suspicious.' All these suspicions land on the colored man's head. WHY DON'T THEY PROCEED WITH INVESTIGATIONS AGAINST THE SUSPECTED BOOKIES? Salams
ICC please investigate (if you can) about the final of ICC Championships Trophy, 2013. How come England collapsed all of sudden to lose it.
“Field placings for the final over [in the tied game], when number 11 Jason Holder and fellow tail-ender Kemar Roach crashed 14 off six balls from Wahab Riaz, will be scrutinised by officers of the ACSU, along with a failed run-out bid off the last delivery,”, Well are they unaware of Misbah's captaincy style............
Even if these allegations are false, Pakistan will have to put up with it, especially after three of its players have been convicted of spot fixing and all three of them have now admitted to wrongdoing. No use in being all outraged about it. Yes, if these allegations turn out to be false, PCB should sue the newspaper but for now its better to cooperate in anyway possible and focus more on ridding our team of any black sheeps rather than outright denying it.
Heavy betting and choosing "tied" in the tie game is prophetic if not fixed! Some of the examples above remind me of championship wrestling where one wrestler keeps getting the beatings as if his hands are tied (not scoring at all for several overs). Then all of a sudden despite the beatings the wrestler wakes up and starts as if he is fresh (like scoring heavily). If we have nothing to hide we have nothing to fear. With our history it is good that somebody is keeping an eye on the gambling.
Bad luck Pakistan u r so innocent. Conspiracies. Cut the crab
After T20 series win ICC gonna go nuts!
Fix vs Six.....LOL
Will the ASCU also be investigating the Aussie top order batsmen for failing to score runs while the lower order score plenty?????
No match fixing, just devastating bowling.