ICC chief pleads for 'Pakistan perspective'

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 said 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.

 

But many observers have questioned how Pakistan's tour, which continues with a warm-up match against Somerset in Taunton on Thursday, can proceed in the current climate.

 

However, Lorgat said: "My understanding at the moment is that the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket Board will continue with the one-day series.

 

"We've got to keep things in perspective. It would be unfair if a couple of unsavoury individuals tarnished the reputation of the rest of the team amd certainly Pakistan as a country."

 

The News of the World claimed last Sunday it had paid Mazhar Majeed 150,000 pounds ($230,000, 185,000 euros) for advance details of three Pakistan no-balls as part of a sting.

 

Majeed, a 35-year-old agent for several Pakistan players, was arrested by police on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers following the report but was released on bail late last Sunday.

 

Scotland Yard questioned Pakistan captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal plus star strike bowlers Aamer and Asif.

 

England won the Lord's Test by an innings and 225 runs -- Pakistan's heaviest Test defeat -- to take the four-match series 3-1 on Sunday.

 

Another game in the spotlight is January's second Test between Australia and Pakistan in Sydney, in which Australia overcame a 206-run first innings deficit to achieve a stunning win.

 

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.

 

"You'll remember Lord (Paul) Condon (the ex ACSU boss and the former chief of Scotland Yard) said a few months ago it (the Sydney Test) was still open for investigation.

 

"But with the limited powers at their disposal, it often takes a period of time for the ACSU to join the dots together that would make a case watertight."

 

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, writing in the Daily Telegraph on Monday, questioned the

ACSU's effectiveness by saying: "Why has it taken a British newspaper sting to bring it out in the open?

 

"What has the ACSU been doing?"

 

But Lorgat said: "It hasn't got the powers of the police or the ability of a newspaper to mount a 'sting' operation."

 

He added: "I can assure you, and it is well accepted ICC policy, that we adopt a zero tolerance approach to corruption. If these allegations are proven, action will be taken in a severe manner. It depends on what is proven."

 

As for the issue of spot-fixing, Lorgat said: "I don't think, as Lord Condon said, you can ever rule it out completely. But you can curtail it and act against it."