LAHORE, Dec 12: International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ihsan Mani claimed on Monday that there was no match-fixing but did not rule out the chance of ‘match-fixing’ in the game. “No one can claim the game is 100 per cent clean and free from corruption, however, individually some people may be involved,” Mani told a press conference.

Mani said that the ICC Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) had controlled the situation to a large extent and always investigated the case whenever it had doubt about any match.

The ACU which was formed some two years ago has neither arrested a single person involved in match-fixing nor has unearthed any plan for match-fixing.

Mani explained that after formation of ACU everyone involved in the game was cautious that someone had been watching him so the menace of match-fixing coming to an end in cricket.

He elaborated that till 2000 ICC did nothing to stop match-fixing while its board members had been trying to hide such affairs only to save their country from earning a bad name.

But now the ICC has been dealing with it and making efforts to tackle the issue.

Mani specified that Pakistan former great bowler Wasim Akram had been issuing statements against the ICC without knowing how the international body was working.

“Wasim is the best left-arm pacer bowler the world has ever produced but he does not know how the ICC is working and issuing unfair statements against it,” he added.

Mani was unaware when informed that similar statements were also made by former England opener Geoffrey Boycott. “I have no knowledge if Boycott made any remarks against the ICC, but Wasim has spoken on two or three occasions and those, too out of his country,” he said.

He said that Wasim should have the courage to contact the ICC to lodge his complaint instead of speaking to the press.

Mani said that he could not give his personal views on the success or failure of the new rules like super sub and powerplay.

“Feedback on new rules is coming from all quarters and it will be discussed by the ICC cricket committee in February to make recommendation for final implementation,” he said.

He said that all the new rules would be given final shape before the World Cup-2007.

The ICC chief denied that Darrell Hair’s umpiring was biased during ongoing series between Pakistan and England. “I do not agree with the concept of bias as every decision of umpires always go through an evaluation process and gets marks accordingly.”

Mani stressed that three Tests and five ODIs were enough in a series but seven or more ODIs were not good to maintain peoples’ interest in the game.

He added that the ICC was evaluating the experience of getting help from technology for catch and lbw decisions, applied in the Super Series matches and would take a final decision in this respect after completing the process.

Opinion

Editorial

Price bombs
17 Jun, 2024

Price bombs

THERE was a time not too long ago when the faces we see sitting in government today would cry themselves hoarse over...
Palestine’s plight
17 Jun, 2024

Palestine’s plight

AS pilgrims wrap up the Haj rituals, and other Muslims celebrate Eidul Azha, the continuing massacre in Gaza demands...
Profiting off denied visas
17 Jun, 2024

Profiting off denied visas

IT is no secret that visa applications to the UK and Schengen countries come at a high cost. But recent published...
After the deluge
Updated 16 Jun, 2024

After the deluge

There was a lack of mental fortitude in the loss against India while against US, the team lost all control and displayed a lack of cohesion and synergy.
Fugue state
16 Jun, 2024

Fugue state

WITH its founder in jail these days, it seems nearly impossible to figure out what the PTI actually wants. On one...
Sindh budget
16 Jun, 2024

Sindh budget

SINDH’S Rs3.06tr budget for the upcoming financial year is a combination of populist interventions, attempts to...