Cricket chief denies his organization allowed game to be corrupted, seeks help from players

Cricket chief call fixing ’sad and disappointing’

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The head of cricket’s governing body Tuesday called match-fixing “sad and disappointing,” but denied that his organization has allowed the sport to be corrupted and said players must help protect the game.

International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat added he would be “at a loss for words” if the undercover sting by a British newspaper accusing some Pakistan players of manipulating matches proves true.

With cricket reeling from another fixing scandal, Lorgat said the ICC has “strong measures in place to ensure the integrity of the game is maintained.”

“We have identified corrupt individuals and advised players to stay away from them,” Lorgat said at Cape Town International Airport. “We need cooperation from the players. They must listen to us and also have discipline.”

The ICC is investigating claims that Pakistan bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif intentionally bowled no-balls in a test against England last week. Captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal have also been implicated in the fixing scandal by British tabloid newspaper The News of the World.

Amir, Asif and Butt are now the subjects of an investigation by British police and the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit. The allegations of spot-fixing, or manipulating the course of a match, emerged late Saturday.

The ICC has been accused of failing to stamp out corruption, which was brought into the spotlight 10 years ago when the late South Africa captain Hansie Cronje was banned for life for match-fixing.

“We have a lot of measures in place,” said Lorgat, a South African. “These measures work by and large. There have been many approaches (to players) reported and followed up.”

“Betting activities will continue. Our concern is if players and match officials are involved,” he added. “Whatever happens outside the game is not our interest, but we will do anything possible to keep it out of the game.”

Asked if life bans for cricketers guilty of fixing would be a suitable deterrent, Lorgat said the ICC will adopt a “zero-tolerance approach” to such individuals.

“The responsibility is on us to rebuild confidence in the game.” he said. “We must implement additional measures if needed, but rest assured the ICC will do everything in its power to ensure that confidence is rebuilt.”

Lorgat will fly to London on Wednesday, when Butt, the 18-year-old Amir and Asif are to meet officials regarding match-fixing allegations.

Pakistan is set to continue its tour of England with a game against county side Somerset on Thursday. Pakistan will also play England in two Twenty20 internationals and five ODI’s starting Sunday.