ICC: No evidence of fixing in Oval ODI
INTERNATIONAL Cricket Council (ICC) chiefs have thrown out allegations that elements of England’s third one-day match against Pakistan last month may have been fixed.
The ICC said there was “no compelling evidence” that any individual from either team had been involved in a conspiracy. Cricket’s world governing body had launched a probe after it was alleged in a newspaper that bookmakers had prior knowledge of Pakistan’s innings.
No further investigation into the match at The Oval on 17 September, which England lost after a batting collapse, will take place without new evidence, the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU) said.
“Following extensive investigations into allegations about the one-day international between England and Pakistan at The Oval in London on 17 September, the ACSU has verified all the available information and concluded that there was no compelling evidence to suspect individual players or support staff,” read a statement.
“The investigation is now complete but if new and corroborating evidence comes to light then clearly the ACSU will re-open the matter.”
The fixing allegations were part of a series of claims that overshadowed Pakistan’s entire tour, and prompted Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt to suggest in response that England players had thrown the ODI. Butt (pictured left) later withdrew the claim under threat of legal action from the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Earlier in the tour, three Pakistan players – Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – were suspended by the ICC after being accused of spot-fixing in the final Test at Lord’s. The trio deny any wrongdoing and are due to have their appeals heard on 30 October.