ICC issues stern warning to Pakistan

An International Cricket Council investigation may have cleared Pakistan of any wrongdoing in the third one-day international against England last month, but the country’s board have been issued with a stern warning over their future handling of the game.

The ICC board met this week for the first time since damaging spot-fixing allegations against Pakistan surfaced.

And while an investigation continues into suspended trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, additional claims relating to the match at The Brit Oval on September 17 were rejected as having “no compelling evidence to suspect individual players or support staff”.

Despite that, the overriding tone of the ICC’s message to administrators in Pakistan was clear – address your problems quickly or face the consequences.

The ICC Board agreed on eight new measures designed to “protect the integrity of the game and restore confidence” – each of which were approved by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Included in these measures were resolutions that the PCB “act and be seen to be acting to uphold the zero tolerance attitude to corruption in sport”, encourage their players to work thoroughly with the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit and implement robust education and disciplinary models in line with the ICC’s own code.

In addition, there is a strongly-worded reminder, which may be taken as a response to PCB chairman Ijaz Butt’s seemingly groundless allegations of corruption in the England team, not to “undermine the integrity, reputation and image of the game and/or any ongoing disciplinary or criminal proceedings”.

Finally, the ICC have warned in ominous terms about the consequences of failing to adhere to the new guidelines.

The statement concluded: “If the PCB fails to carry out the above to the satisfaction of the board within the next 30 days, the board will consider what further action (including, if appropriate, sanctions) is required in the circumstances.”