PCB chairman denies match fixing claims in recent ODIs

The Pakistan cricket team has once again been alleged of match fixing in the series against West Indies held recently.

According to the reports published by British newspaper The Daily Mail, the series was under investigation by the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) of world cricket’s governing body with experts identifying suspicious betting patterns.

Although Pakistan’s cricket chief termed the betting allegations as ‘outrageous’ and confirmed that his board has insisted on a full investigation by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

‘Concerns have been raised, in particular, around the tied third match of the series played in St Lucia a week ago on Friday, as well as the final game, which resulted in a last-ball win for Pakistan on Thursday’ – the paper had reported.

Suspicions were raised after West Indies, chasing 230, tied the match after needing 24 runs off the final two overs with only last two batsmen at the crease.

The investigation will also look at betting patterns in the final game, in which West Indies scored just one run from the first 18 balls, according to the report.

PCB interim chairman Najam Sethi said in an interview : “These are outrageous claims and we have been in touch with the ICC and insist on investigation,” Sethi told Pakistan’s Geo TV.

“I can’t talk much on this but we did contact the team manager and he told us that a couple of days ago the newspaper people were phoning people to get the information,” said Sethi.

“The manager confirmed that the ICC’s ACSU team was there in the Caribbean. How much truth is there in this, only time will tell but at the moment this is not more than a story by The Mail.”

A board spokesman added: “The PCB is obviously extremely concerned at the allegations of fixing reported in the media with regard to recently concluded one-day series between Pakistan and West Indies.”

Pakistan has already been badly hit by match-fixing scandals with three top players, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, already serving bans in a spot-fixing case that surfaced on a team’s tour of England in 2010.

An ICC spokesman said it does not comment on any ACSU activities.