Pakistan board chief impressed with Condon report

Pakistan's cricket chief praised the work of the International Cricket Council's (ICC's) Anti-corruption unit on Thursday, one day after its interim report into match-fixing was published.

"I have no hesitation in describing Sir Paul Condon's work as excellent. It is one of the most prestigious, valuable and well researched documents ever prepared on the sport," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Tauqir Zia told Reuters from Lahore.

"It is now mandatory for every board to assist Condon to root out corruption from the sport. As far as we are concerned, we are prepared to extend full support to Condon and his unit," he added.

Condon is due to visit Pakistan from May 25-27 when he is expected to have meetings with the PCB and possibly former captain Salim Malik, who was banned from cricket for life last year following a probe into match-fixing in Pakistan.

The report said a conspiracy of silence has surrounded corruption in world cricket and that match-fixing remained a problem.

The report, sparked by the match-fixing scandal which erupted last year when former South Africa captain Hansie Cronje admitted taking money from bookmakers, did not name individuals.

But it painted a disturbing picture of corruption and players under-performing to order as betting on cricket mushroomed during the 1980s and 1990s with the proliferation of televised one-day internationals.

Zia said the PCB had been following the recommendations of Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum, who conducted the inquiry into corruption in Pakistani cricket.

"We are already following the suggestions which could help us keep the players away from such controversies. But we are more than willing to learn more from this report to further strengthen our system," Zia said.

Zia reiterated his promise to conduct judicial investigations into allegations of match-fixing during the 1999 World Cup in England.

"As far as the World Cup allegations are concerned, Pakistan is committed to carry out judicial investigations and a request has already been put up to the government," he said.

In the report, ICC anti-corruption chief Paul Condon said there had been "persistent allegations" that the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at Nottingham was rigged by bookmakers.

Zia said he was delighted that Pakistan's inquiry into match-fixing and betting had been praised in the report.

"I don't want to enter into the debate as to who should get the credit for Condon's investigations. I am more interested and proud that Pakistan's efforts have been praised," he said.

Pakistan, who had two inquiries into match-fixing allegations, banned Malik and fast bowler Ata-ur-Rehman last year and fined and censored Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saeed Anwar and Akram Raza.

"If I am provided with rock solid evidence that more of my players are involved in corruption, I promise they will be dealt with with an iron hand," Zia said.

Mail Cricket Editor