ICC may extend spot-fixing probe

The International Cricket Council admits the current investigation into ‘spot-fixing’ allegations against three Pakistan players could be extended to cover the country’s dramatic collapse against Australia in Sydney earlier this year.

Australia held an 80-run lead with only two wickets in hand at the start of day four of the Test in January before Mike Hussey hit an unbeaten 134 to set Pakistan a victory target of 176.

Spinner Nathan Hauritz then tore through the tourists’ batting line-up to seal a 36-run win for Australia in a match which at one point looked destined to give Pakistan a comprehensive victory.

Ronnie Flanagan, chairman of the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit, said any evidence brought to the governing body linking the Sydney Test to the ‘spot-fixing’ investigation would be examined thoroughly.

“We will be examining all the evidence that is brought before us in this particular case, we will go where the evidential trail takes us,” Flanagan said.

When asked about whether the investigation would be looking at the News of the World’s claims involving the Sydney Test, Flanagan said: “We will be examining all that.”

Pakistan captain Salman Butt and seamers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were questioned by police on Friday in relation to a criminal investigation which was launched after claims made in the Sunday tabloid they were part of a ‘spot-fixing’ scam aimed at defrauding illegal bookmakers in the fourth Test against England.

Pakistan high commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan has revealed that the players had protested their innocence to him.

The ICC decided to charge the trio under “various offences’’ under the governing body’s code of conduct and will take no part in the rest of the tour, although they were given 14 days to appeal the decision.

Pakistan High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan had earlier criticised the decision and accused the ICC of a “conspiracy” against the cricket-mad nation that has been stripped of its right to co-host the 2011 World Cup and has to play its ‘home’ games abroad due to security fears.