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ICC investigates Pakistan over fresh claims

Pakistan’s scandal-tainted cricketers are the subject of a new corruption probe after suspected irregularities in the third one-day international with England, officials confirmed on Saturday.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said it had launched an investivation into a ‘certain scoring pattern’ that emerged during Pakistan’s victory over England at the Oval on Friday.

It followed a report by The Sun newspaper, which claimed to have been made aware of details of Pakistan’s innings before the match had got underway.

The paper tipped off cricket authorities, who then watched as the scoring patterns in two suspect overs emerged as predicted, The Sun report said. The overall result of the match was not believed to be fixed, the report added.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said the new allegations — which follow the suspension of three Pakistan players for alleged involvement in ‘spot-fixing’ — warranted further investigation.

‘Following information received by the ICC from a British newspaper and its source, the ICC now believes a full investigation is warranted,’ an ICC statement read.

Lorgat added: ‘A source informed The Sun newspaper that a certain scoring pattern would emerge during certain stages of the match and, broadly speaking, that information appeared to be correct.

‘We therefore feel it is incumbent upon us to launch a full enquiry into this particular game although it is worth pointing out at this stage that we are not stating as fact that anything untoward has occurred. Only in the fullness of the investigation can that be established.

‘The ICC maintains a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket and, as a matter of course, follows up on all credible information that is received, whatever the source.

‘Any player or official found guilty of an offence will face the full rigour of our robust Anti-Corruption Code so that we can ensure the integrity of the sport is maintained.’

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Saturday it believed the remaining two contests in the five-match one-day series would take place as scheduled.

However the board said in a later statement it would hold a meeting to discuss the allegations as a matter of urgency.

‘The ECB is seeking clarification and details from ICC, and the ECB board will meet later today to discuss the matter,’ a statement said.

According to The Sun, the latest allegations emerged after the paper was notified of calls between a Dubai-based match-fixer and a New Delhi bookmaker.

The newspaper immediately notified the ICC’s anti-corruption unit headed by former former police chief Sir Ronnie Flanagan.

The investigation is another body-blow to Pakistan, who have been under the spotlight this summer amid allegations of spot-fixing against members of the touring party.

Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif have all been questioned by police over an alleged plot to bowl deliberate no-balls during last month’s Test series while a fourth player — seamer Wahab Riaz — was also interviewed by the authorities on Tuesday. All deny any wrongdoing.

On Friday, Scotland Yard detectives announced that an initial file detailing evidence of alleged corruption had been forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), who will decide whether to proceed with the case.