The Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ijaz Butt, has termed the investigation as 'strange', and part of 'preconceived conspiracy', as the raids on hotel rooms were conducted without prior approval of the ICC. In a letter to the Secretary General to the President, Salman Farooqi, and Secretary to the Prime Minister, a copy of which was also exclusively made available to Business Recorder.
The struggling Chairman of PCB has provided details of the 'shameful' incident involving at least three top Pakistani players in match-fixing. The verbatim letter is as follows: On August 28, 2010 in the evening Scotland Yard visited the hotel where the Pakistan Cricket Team is staying. The officer in-charge Matthew Horne, Deputy Superintendent, demanded to search the rooms of members of the team namely, Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Amir.
According to Horne, the investigations were conducted following arrest of a British businessman for conspiracy to defraud bookmakers by artificially affecting the course of events, outcome and potential outcome of cricket matches in the current test series between England and Pakistan.
2- Surprisingly, the visit and subsequent search by Horne, which according to him was due to the fact that a newspaper was going to publish a news item regarding Pakistan cricket team's involvement, the following morning. The manager of Pakistan team Yawar Saeed, fully co-operated with Horne and his associates.
A search of three rooms was conducted and some belongings including Mobile phones, laptop computers, currency, etc of the above players were taken away by the police. PCB has been informed by the said officer of the Scotland Yard that there is no restriction on the movement of players and left the passports of above players with the PCB management. However, Horne sounded confident regarding further revelations in the matter which may result in widening the scope of investigations.
3- At this point, no details of any wrong-doings or of evidence against the players have been shared with the management of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and we have been told by Horne "wait for further news". However he remarked that involvement of more players could not be ruled out and remarked that "PCB would know more about it in the media shortly". Upon inquiry, he remarked that what he was sharing with the PCB was "tip of the iceberg" and for the moment they have decided not to arrest any player.
4- We in the PCB feel that investigations conducted so far have been done in an extremely strange manner, especially in full media glare and before the actual launch or completion of the investigations. This portends a preconceived conspiracy against the team. However, it is premature to say something unless the PCB and the Pakistan High Commission are made a part of the investigations.
5- Surprisingly, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the hosts, were not taken into confidence about any search pending inquiry. However, the Marlyborne Cricket Club (MCC) was only informed at the eleventh hour in the evening when Horne was about to visit the hotel where Pakistan cricket team is staying.
It seems that MCC was only informed as Horne wanted to secure the dressing room of Pakistan cricket team. It may be added that PCB and ECB are the full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body of International Cricket and have a full right to be informed about any questionable act of their cricketers, especially when it involves police action.
6- I received a call from the manager around 7.30 pm last evening whereby, the unfortunate turn of events were brought to my knowledge. I immediately rang up Giles Clarke, chairman of ECB, who was utterly shocked and surprised and immediately visited me in my hotel. David Collier, Chief Executive English Cricket Baord, Colin Gibson, Head of Media and Communications ICC also joined later.
The Chairman, ECB called the senior ranking police officer Cressida Dick. The Chairman, ECB expressed his displeasure over the police searches and questioned the rationale of investigations without the knowledge of the ECB.
7- In my conversation with the Chairman ECB, I took strong exception to the police without informing the ECB and PCB. I told him that after weighting our options we may even call off the remaining tour of the United Kingdom. The Chairman ECB requested that the tour should continue. But I categorically informed him that any such decision would only be taken in consultation with the High Commissioner and the Patron's office.
8 - During the course of our discussions with ECB Chairman, Matthew Horne, who conducted the searches, was also summoned by the Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick on the request of ECB. The following transpired during the discussions;
(i) that the raid was conducted as the newspaper was going to air the news within a couple of hours, hence the search to secure alleged evidence and ; (ii) that a complaint had been flied by some unlicensed overseas bookmakers of Asian descent (involvement of Indians cannot be ruled out) who were likely to incur losses.
9- The PCB is in contact with the High Commission for Pakistan and after discussions between Chairman PCB and the High Commissioner, a note verbal was issued in order to sensitise the British government to the seriousness of the matter and a demand has been made to launch an impartial inquiry as the matter has serious implications on the ongoing tour.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office ( FCO) has been further requested to involve the PCB and Pakistan High Commission at every step of the investigations. In this regard, the following has been urgently requested from the British government:
(i) The basis of the initiation of the police inquiry which found its way into the media. More so, it has been alleged that certain non-licensed overseas bookmakers were involved, their identity should be shared with PCB and Pakistan High Commission; (ii) The statutes under which police have taken action be made known to the PCB and the Pakistan High Commission; (iii) outcome of the investigation/interrogation of the person(s) already in custody and ; (iv) full protection to the Pakistani players and the team management should be ensured.
After detailed discussions with the High Commissioner, it has been decided to seek legal recourse in the United Kingdom to put the record straight. We have consulted a top criminal Barrister who could advise PCB for further action as the matter is being dealt with under the English Law. Legal Adviser PCB has established contact with the Barrister for legal assistance. For the safeguard of the players and PCB's reputation if the need arises the said players would be provided separate legal assistance.
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