ICC happy with PCB's initial response on anti-corruption

International Cricket Council on Saturday expressed satisfaction by the initial response from Pakistan Cricket Board after the threat to impose sanctions if it did not take robust anti-corruption measures to clean up cricket.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said after a meeting of the members of Pakistan Task Team (PTT) via teleconference call that the world body was satisfied by the PCB's response.

"We are encouraged by the excellent progress reported and also the willingness of PCB to embrace ICC recommendations. However, we can never be complacent nor distracted in our determination to tackle corruption," Lorgat said in a statement.

"The ICC Task Team was mindful of the challenges faced by PCB and is committed to support Pakistan playing international cricket, but recognised the importance of rooting out corruption from the sport. It also fully endorsed the stated policy of zero-tolerance towards corruption in order to ensure the integrity of cricket," he said.

ICC Director Giles Clarke, as chairman of the PTT, was joined by members of the task team as well as PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and PCB Senior General Manager Cricket Operations (International), Subhan Ahmed, and advised the members of the additional responsibilities of the group following the ICC Board meeting.

These include raising awareness of anti-corruption issues among international players, particularly those from Pakistan' to support Pakistan cricket in the urgent development and delivery of anti-corruption policies, processes and education; to support PCB in reviewing its structures and making reforms necessary to restore confidence in the administration of the game in Pakistan and to protect the integrity of international cricket by enforcing the stated zero-tolerance approach.

The PTT received an update on the agreed measures that the PCB has already started to introduce.

The task team meeting reminded the PCB of its agreement to encourage all its players to come forward and disclose to the Anti-Corruption and Safety Unit any relevant information which will be treated as strictly confidential.

Pakistan Task Team chairman Clarke said, "The task team urged everyone to support the PCB to reform its cricket and governance models and the important role Ijaz Butt has to play in this regard. An independent board would help it to regain its glory and ensure long-term success."

PCB chairman Butt said, "We are grateful to the ICC for its advice and support in these challenging times. Rest assured that Pakistan cricket has no tolerance for any players or officials who are found to be corrupt and will make the tough decisions necessary."

  Lorgat said the ICC has issued a broad advisory to every Member countries about the need to root out corruption from the sport.

"This advisory requests all international players and support personnel to sign a once-off declaration before participating in the next FTP match and/or ICC event. Such declaration is intended to serve as an important reminder of the spirit in which the game is meant to be played, the importance of its integrity and their roles and responsibilities in this regard," he said.

"Every single player who cares about the game should step forward and help us to eradicate corruption from the game. I can assure that such disclosures will be treated in strict confidence," he added.

"The (ICC) Board was unanimous and showed absolutely no compromise in taking steps to ensure the public retains confidence in the game. Accordingly, all 105 ICC Members were advised to immediately consider and undertake the following actions:

"Remind all registered players, support personnel and Member Board officials about their responsibilities, our clear stance on corruption, the need to abide by the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and that failure to do so could result in severe penalties.

"Review the adequacy of processes and procedures to protect against all threats of corruption (domestic or international) and, where necessary, introduce new measures which would include a domestic anti-corruption code that mirrors the ICC code;

"Review player contracts and introduce relevant clauses to ensure players comply with all relevant anti-corruption rules and regulations."