No compelling evidence of Oval one-dayer being fixed, says ICC
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Your support makes all the difference.The International Cricket Council has not found any "compelling evidence" of corruption against any player or support staff relating to the one-day match between England and Pakistan at The Oval on 17 September.
The ICC said yesterday the investigation was complete for now but if new and corroborating evidence came to light, its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit would re-open the case.
"The ACSU has verified all the available information and concluded that there was no compelling evidence to suspect individual players or support staff," the governing body said in a statement after its two-day board meeting.
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who led the team during the match, which Pakistan won by 23 runs, was happy the investigation was over. "I had always said we played fairly and I had full confidence in my players, I am happy our position has been vindicated," Afridi said. "We tried to remain focused on the cricket in England and won two matches in the one-day series. I am happy this issue is now behind us and we can now concentrate on the series against South Africa," he said.
Coach Waqar Younis said it was high time Pakistan cricket got some good news. "The investigation was disturbing so I am happy it is over," he added.
The ICC board was updated on the spot-fixing allegations made against Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir during the tour of England. The three players, who have denied any wrongdoing, were provisionally suspended. Their appeal will be heard in Doha on 30 and 31 October and will be chaired by the head of the ICC's code of conduct commission, Michael Beloff QC.
Proposals for Test and one-day international leagues and a World Cup reduced to 10 teams from the 2015 edition were approved by the board.
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