ICC lauds Pakistan’s efforts

Governing body praises PCB for following its directives.

DUBAI: A Task team of the International Cricket Council (ICC) said it was impressed by the steps taken by Pakistan authorities to curb corruption and discipline problems to safeguard the integrity of the game. The ICC had last month advised Pakistan to take strict steps with regards to the problems, the failure of which could see the governing cricket body imposing sanctions.

The Task team led by England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke held a tele-conference on Sunday, and said it was impressed with the steps taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The ICC’s Pakistan Task Team (PTT) was impressed by the progress reported by the PCB. These included: The development of an Anti-Corruption Code by the PCB, a proposed plan to regulate agents of Pakistani players and an enhanced and countrywide education programme,” said an ICC release.

On the directives of the ICC, PCB introduced a stricter code of conduct for all the national team players and implemented steps to educate the players on corruption and doping. “The PCB has clearly recognised that it is imperative to protect the integrity of cricket and we are indeed impressed by the progress reported. They have shown a clear determination,” said ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat.

Clarke also praised PCB’s efforts. “The PCB chairman and his team must be congratulated for the speed with which they have adopted the recommendations of the ICC Board,” said Clarke. Ijaz Butt responded by saying that the PCB were determined to implement the recommendations provided by the ICC.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2010.