April 23, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 16, 1429

Karachi, April 22: The Pakistani cricketers playing in the Indian Premier League have been advised to be careful about the company they keep, following inquiries by ICC’s anti-corruption unit this month.

A senior official of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that after the ACSU questioned Younis Khan, Umar Gul and Danish Kaneria about an Indian they had befriended on their last tour there, PCB had told the players to be wary.

‘‘The ACSU investigations have made no headway nor have they apparently found any evidence to suggest any player violating the ICC Code of Conduct,” the official said.

‘‘But since the ACSU questioning revolved around an Indian national and the Indian tour we have briefed the players about what to avoid and stay away from while playing in the IPL.”

The official said players have been told to be very careful about the people they get acquainted with. The players have also been told to be choosy while attending private functions and parties during the IPL.

‘‘We don’t want any more inquiries from the ACSU and the players must be aware of their responsibilities,” he added.

The official said Pakistani players were quite popular in India and made new friends on tours and visits.

‘‘We just felt it would be best to warn them before any mistakes are made,” he stated.

The IPL is being held under the supervision of the ACSU as it is a event sanctioned by the ICC.

Sources in the world governing body said the ACSU was keeping a close watch on IPL matches as the top players were involved in it and the format of the tournament — Twenty20 cricket — had been attracting a lot of attention in the betting market.—Agencies