Pakistan Board ‘determined’ to end corruption

Saturday, 5 November 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Lahore (AFP): Pakistan cricket authorities Thursday said they were more determined to eradicate corruption from the game after three of their key players were sentenced to jail in a corruption case.

Pakistan former Test captain Salman Butt, 27, received 30 months, fast bowler Mohammad Asif, 28, received one year in jail and 19-year-old Mohammad Aamer was jailed for six months.

Butt and Asif were found guilty on Tuesday of deliberately bowling three no-balls during the Lord’s Test in August 2010 as part of a “spot-fixing” betting scam uncovered by Rupert Murdoch’s now-defunct News of the World.

Aamer and agent Mazhar Majeed, sent down for 32 months, had already pleaded guilty to involvement in the scam.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which shied away from making any comments since a new chairman Zaka Ashraf took over last week, termed the incidents as “a sad say for cricket in the country.”

“The conviction and sentencing of players is a sad day for Pakistan cricket,” PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar was quoted as saying in a release. “Instead of having pride in playing for their country, these players chose to disappoint their supporters, damage the image of their country and bring the noble game of cricket into disrepute. There is little sympathy in Pakistan for the sorry pass they have come to.”

PCB said the case has made it more determined to fight the menace. “PCB is determined to ensure that any form of corrupt behavior from Pakistan cricket is stamped out,” said the spokesman.

Since the spot-fixing scandal, the International Cricket Council (ICC) came down hard on Pakistan, sending them a list of directives in October last year, threatening them with suspension if they were not implemented.

PCB said it has taken serious measures to save future misconduct.

“Training courses under PCB education program upgraded for all players and particularly younger entrants into international cricket to inform them of the law and spirit of the game, the inducements that may be offered to them by unscrupulous elements, and the pitfalls associated with deviant behavior.”

In addition, vigilance, stricter code of conduct and system to register new agents for players were also implemented, said the release.

“These are just some of the measures being contemplated by the PCB. More would follow as and when the need arises. Ridding Pakistan cricket of any possible corrupt behavior will remain a high priority for the PCB,” said the release.

“PCB will also work closely with the ICC and its member Boards in ensuring that the game of cricket globally is made totally free from the taint of corruption,” said the release.

Former greats and experts of the game had blamed the PCB for a lack of action, resulting in the spot-fixing scandal.