ICC, Pakistan in scandal face-off
Diplomat accuses cricket council of 'playing to the public gallery'
Dubai : The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Pakistan authorities are on a collision course following the suspension of three Pakistan players under scanner for match-fixing charges.
While Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive, said that the recent incident "must rank as the next worst after the Hansie Cronje case," Pakistan's High Commisioner to the UK, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, termed the action a mistake and was "playing to the public gallery".
The ICC suspended Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir late on Thursday charging them with various offences under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code for players, for their alleged irregular behaviour during the fourth Test at Lord's.
Speaking at press conference at Lord's yesterday, Lorgat said that the case was now the subject of a criminal investigation and that everything will be done to preserve the integrity of the game. "In terms of corruption in the sport, this must rank as the next worst after the Hansie Cronje case," he added.
Ronnie Flanagan, the ICC's Anti-Corruption chief, said that the suspended players have a case to answer.
