The ICC Board, which re-affirmed its zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket, will work with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) 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, said a ICC statement issued here on Wednesday.
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, Muhammad Aamir and Muhammad 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 October 30-31 and will be chaired by the head of the ICC Code of Conduct Commission, Michael Beloff. 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.
"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, " ICC Chief Sharad Pawar said during the ICC Executive Board Meeting.
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.
A series of measures were approved by the ICC Board to deal with the challenge and to assist the PCB, who have agreed to the following measures.
1. ICC Board to issue a broad advisory to all players reminding them of their individual and collective obligations to ensure that the integrity of the game is upheld and the severe consequences of a failure to do so.
2. PCB must act and be seen to be acting to uphold the zero-tolerance attitude to corruption in sport. In this regard, the PCB is required to conduct a thorough review of player integrity issues across all authorised cricket in Pakistan and report back to the Pakistan Task Team within 30 days, including that they have achieved the following:
3. PCB shall desist from taking any actions which might put themselves in a conflict of interest position as regards the allegations that are the subject of disciplinary proceedings.
4. PCB must strongly encourage their players to provide any relevant information to the ACSU on a confidential basis. Any player who comes forward and in that process incriminates himself could, under the Substantial Assistance provisions of the Anti-Corruption Code, seek to use his co-operation as a mitigating factor in the consideration of appropriate sanctions.
5. PCB should desist from making public comments and disclosing confidential information which undermine the integrity, reputation and image of the game and/or any ongoing disciplinary or criminal investigation/proceedings.
6. At the same time the Pakistan Task Team will be authorised by the ICC Board, under a revised mandate, to undertake a review and provide a series of recommendations which will help PCB to:
Carry out any reforms which may be deemed necessary to restore confidence in the administration of the game in Pakistan; and deliver the above measures.
7. If the PCB fails to carry out the above to the satisfaction of the Board (acting in consultation with the Pakistan Task Team) within the next 30 days, the Board will consider what further action (including, if appropriate, sanctions) is required in the circumstances.
8. The Pakistan Task Team shall be reconstituted with the agreement of the Board.
Following extensive investigations into allegations about the One-Day International between England and Pakistan at The Oval in London on September 17, the ACSU has verified all the available information and concluded that there was no compelling evidence to suspect individual players or support staff. An ICC Director Peter Chingoka, has been appointed as a member of the Pakistan Task Team to replace Ray Mali, the former ICC President.
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