ECB seeking clarification from Daily Mail over match-fixing claims: PCB

KARACHI: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) distanced itself from recent match-fixing allegations on the five-match ODI series between Pakistan and West Indies on Tuesday.

The Daily Mail had claimed in a report that the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) was set to investigate alleged "wrongdoings" in the series.

It claimed that "suspicious batting patterns" had emerged during the matches which Pakistan won 3-1.

"If I was presented with this level of information, I would want this series investigated," ECB information manager Chris Watts was quoted as saying.

"There are some classic signs [of wrong doing]."

The ECB, when questioned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Watt's statement denied its involvement in raising suspicions on the series.

“The PCB has received assurance from ECB that it has not suggested that there was anything to be concerned about during the series," said a PCB media release.

“ECB has confirmed that their official has not stated that the series should be investigated. ECB has also approached the newspaper to seek a suitable clarification," the statement added.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) interim chairman Najam Sethi had earlier lashed out at the allegations.

“These are outrageous claims and we have been in touch with the ICC and insist on an investigation,” Sethi had said.