The ICC Board, which re-affirmed its zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket, will work with the Pakistan Cricket Board through an enhanced role for the Pakistan Task Team in order to protect the integrity of the game and restore confidence.
The Board also committed to an independent review of the capability and capacity of the ICC’s anti-corruption measures to deal with the challenges of corruption in the sport.
At the meeting, the Board received an update on spot-fixing allegations against three Pakistan players during a recent tour to England. Under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, the players – Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif – were provisionally suspended from all cricket.
In accordance with the provisions of the code, all three have appealed that provisional suspension and an independent hearing will take place in Doha, Qatar, on 30 and 31 October and will be chaired by the head of the ICC Code of Conduct Commission, Michael Beloff, QC.
As has been the case up to now, comment from the ICC on this issue will be strictly limited so as not to prejudice the case.
ICC President Sharad Pawar said: “We reiterated our support for the strong and decisive action which was necessary to protect the integrity of the great game of cricket. We have stressed, without any comment on the present case, that we will not tolerate any form of corruption in cricket and that we will work tirelessly to root out those who have acted in a way which brings cricket into disrepute.
“The future of our great sport depends on the public maintaining their confidence in the games they are watching. We owe it to every player, administrator, every cricket lover to win this battle against a very small minority who may wish to corrupt this game. The matter of integrity is non-negotiable. Integrity and honesty are the bedrock of our game and ICC will protect that foundation stone with everything at its disposal.”
The board reiterated its message of zero tolerance towards corruption; of a need to protect the integrity of the game; a defendable process and availability of a proportionate but strong and effective deterrent. At the same time it heard the Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) had begun reviewing and upgrading its protocols and procedures.
Member Boards were instructed and agreed to undertake independent enquiries into any substantive allegations of corruption within the domestic game, unless there are credible disciplinary processes already contained within the constitutions of those Member Boards.
Chairman of the ACSU Sir Ronnie Flanagan the unit’s General Manager, Ravi Sawani, attended the Board meeting and updated the Board on the unit’s enhanced competency-based education process, a request that the ICC Anti-Corruption Code be mirrored by all Members, the investigation of a player accreditation scheme, the employment of regular team managers, establishing an ethic and culture of accountability within teams, increased interaction with betting companies and sports integrity units.
The ACSU, which is rated as a leading anti-corruption unit in world sport, will also address capacity issues and staffing levels within the unit as a part of its internal review.
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