ICC not to run the PCB: Lorgat

ICC chief defends ACSU, brushes aside notion that Pakistan is being singled out.

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said that the world cricket’s governing body is not dictating the policies of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) but is assisting the member country amid the current crisis because “the ICC cannot and does not want to run Pakistan cricket”.

The spot-fixing fiasco, following which the ICC provisionally suspended the three under-fire Pakistan players and gave the PCB a 30-day period to put its house in order, has somewhat woken up the lethargic PCB administration from a deep slumber.

Following the ICC’s rapid amendments to the players’ code of conduct and a definite policy to sideline the ‘tainted’ players, the PCB started taking the ICC’s intervention seriously.

“It’s a partnership arrangement, we’re here to support and give assistance, we cannot run Pakistan cricket, we don’t want to run Pakistan cricket,” said Lorgat. “That’s the responsibility of the PCB, to run its organisation. Given that Pakistan is a member of the ICC, we will do all the necessary things for them.”

Lorgat further brushed aside the perception that Pakistan is the only cricket team being singled out by the cricket governing body, insisting that Pakistan is facing serious challenges and the ICC is helping them not singling them out. “I can tell you that this perception is unfortunate and it’s absolutely not true. On the contrary, we’re very sympathetic to the issues and we’re providing all the support we possibly can. And we’ll continue to do so in the future.”

Defending the ACSU

Lorgat vehemently defended the ICC’s Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) which was set up in 2000 following a corruption crisis with the ICC claiming that ‘cricket is the leader in the fight against corruption in sports’. However, with the alleged spot-fixing revelations coming from a British tabloid instead of the ACSU, the unit has been severely criticised by various quarters.

“The ACSU in fact is the leading organisation against corruption in sports and this has been acknowledged by other forms of sports too. We often get inquiries about how to tackle challenges faced by other sports as well.

“You also have to understand that the ACSU does not possess the powers that police have so we can’t go and arrest people, or seize documents. Neither can we carry out sting operations that some of the newspapers do. So we have limited powers in which we can operate.”

ICC’s role in the Pakistan cricket

Lorgat insisted that it was ICC’s intention to ensure that cricket resumes in the controversy-hit country without any obstacles. “The first fundamental is to ensure Pakistan continues to play international cricket because I believe it’s important that they play despite the challenges they’re facing.”

“Right now we’re pleased to say that the task team [for Pakistan]  is helping them introduce educational programmes, code of conducts, anti corruption codes and all of the necessary structure to support the game domestically as well.”

Hearing date still not set

Lorgat refused to give a definite date of the trial for the suspended Pakistan trio despite the fact that Pakistan has to name their 30-man initial squad for the 2011 World Cup. “That’s a process which is going on and various councils are deciding on a date for the full trial.

“Given that right now I can’t tell you the exact date because four sets of attorneys are in discussion at the moment regarding the final date.” Lorgat, however, insisted that this is something which is beyond his control. “You have to get the agreement from all the four attorneys about their availability and readiness to explicate and defend the case. But I assure you that we will be doing it as soon as possible.”

Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir’s appeal against their suspension was earlier rejected by the ICC.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2010.