International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat urged the world game not to give up on Pakistan after several of their players were embroiled in spot-fixing allegations. Britain's News of the World newspaper published the results of a 'sting operation' last Sunday which appeared to show how an alleged fixer had been able to ensure the deliberate bowling of no-balls by Pakistan's Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif during the fourth Test against England at Lord's.
"I'm extremely disappointed to say the least," Lorgat told AFP in a telephone interview. "I don't have too many words, it's not something I ever wanted to read about." England and Pakistan are now due to play two Twenty20 internationals in Cardiff, the first this coming Sunday, and five one-day fixtures. Lorgat said the ICC's anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU), now headed by former Northern Ireland police chief Sir Ronnie Flanagan, had been looking into that match.