ECB denies making match-fixing accusations against Pakistan

A general view of the Lord’s cricket ground, which is considered the home of English cricket. (Getty Images)

The English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has denied making accusations of match-fixing against Pakistan.

A newspaper in England has reported that an official of the ECB had claimed that the third match of the series between Pakistan and West Indies played at St Lucia on July 19 was fixed. This match had gone down to the last over and had ended in a tie.

The alleged accusations had strained relations with the PCB, and the ECB has acted to issue statements to the contrary. The ECB has called the news as a misrepresentation of facts and has demanded a clarification from the paper.

The PCB has received formal communication from their English counterparts and a Pakistan official issued a statement saying, “The PCB has received assurance from the ECB, that the ECB has not passed any judgement on Pakistan Cricket and that the ECB has not suggested that there was anything to be concerned about during the Pakistan v West Indies series.

“PCB maintains a zero tolerance approach towards corruption but also feels it to be its obligation to protect Pakistan cricket from baseless allegations.”

The ECB has maintained that its official had advised the newspaper to approach the ICC if it had any idea of suspicions incidents, as the matter was outside the jurisdiction of the England board.

Earlier there were angry reactions from former Pakistani wicketkeeper Rashid Latif who had used his twitter account to blast the ECB for its policy of apparently picking on Pakistan. The reassurances from the ECB should go a long way to calm the situation, at least for the moment.