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ACU looking into
Sri Lanka-Pakistan tie

Faisal Shariff

The International Cricket Council has confirmed that the Anti Corruption Unit -- the body created in the aftermath of the match-fixing imbroglio -- is, indeed, examining the opening match in the ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan lost to Sri Lanka by eight wickets, on September 12.

An ICC statement, late on Monday evening, stated that the ACU confirmed that as part of the security protocols put in place for the Champions Trophy it has requested that the host broadcaster supply it with tapes of all matches played.

"Specifically, it has reviewed a number of incidents that took place in the opening match of the tournament between Sri Lanka and Pakistan," the statement added.

Electing to bat first, Pakistan scored a mere 200 runs. The Sri Lankans, propelled by an undefeated century from skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, bettered the total in only the 37th over.

Former England skipper and television commentator Tony Greig had revealed on Sunday night that the ACU had asked for tapes of the match. But when rediff.com asked Mike Procter, the match referee for the game, early Monday morning about Greig's comments, he drew a blank face, saying he wasn't apprised by either the ACU or ICC of any such incident.

"As far as I know the game was evenly contested and played fair. I did not at any time sense anything untoward or suspicious," he added.

He also said that asking for tapes of matches is a formality by the ACU.

On Monday morning, even ICC communication manager Mark Harrison had expressed ignorance about any such request from the ACU, saying: "The commentators [Tony Greig and Ravi Shastri] had been very irresponsible in making such statements in the media about the ACU.

"The ACU works in complete confidentiality and even if they are investigating anything they are not going to let the media or anyone for that matter know about it."

But late on Monday evening he did an about-turn: "Any incident that looks sub-standard or out of the ordinary, such as a bad run-out or bad shot, may be looked at. They are just putting into action the process that is now in place. There is nothing out of the ordinary in them requesting a tape."

Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis told rediff.com that he too had heard about the ACU's decision to review the tapes of the match, but denied that there was any wrong-doing by his team.

"I have not been officially asked by the ICC or the ACU about it. I have no problems at all about the investigation, if there is any. We played the game in all fairness and honesty," he said.

According to reports, the ACU is looking to see whether Shahid Afridi had tampered with the ball during the match, and if Yousuf Youhana was genuinely run-out early in the match.

When told about the ACU probe, Youhana asked: "So now if one gets run-out also will it be termed as match-fixing?"

Saying he has no information about it, he added, "Pakistan cricketers will never be left alone."

ACU chief Lord Paul Condon said his team would undertake "detailed monitoring" of all games during the Champions Trophy and would review any incidents that look "unusual".

"No one should be surprised at this approach and the unit will be looking at other incidents in other matches during the course of the remaining ten games of the tournament.

"The ACU is confident that this regime is providing an effective and professional deterrent that will protect both the integrity of the tournament and the privacy of the players," he said.

The ICC statement comes a day after Pakistan coach Mudassar Nazar was summoned home by Pakistan Cricket Board's chief General Tauqir Zia to discuss the dismal performance of the team over the past few weeks.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan team seems to be in contradictory mode. After skipper Younis confirmed that Saeed Anwar and Wasim Akram had asked to be rested for the Test series against Australia, Anwar told rediff.com that he is looking forward to playing in the series, beginning with the first Test in Colombo from October 3 to 7.

"I want to get one big knock before I decide if I want to play ahead or no. There is no chance that I have asked to be rested from the Test series against Australia," he said, after an hour's swimming session in the hotel pool.

Rashid Latif also contradicted the board's claim that he had asked to be rested.

Strolling around the hotel with his wife and child, a relaxed Latif said he wants to play for Pakistan as long as he can. "I have not asked for any rest," he affirmed.

Younis said he is confused why Mudassar was asked to return home.

"I was not told about it. When I asked Mudassar he told me that the General had asked him to return immediately. I know that the team needs some changes and we need to get in some younger players, but am quite surprised to see Mudassar return home," he said.

Earlier report:
ICC requests tapes of Pak-SL match