Updated at: 2349 PST, Monday, August 30, 2010
LONDON: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday promised "prompt and decisive action" if allegations of spot-fixing by Pakistan players in the fourth Test against England were proven.Neither the ICC nor the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have suspended the players involved in the allegedly deliberate bowling of no-balls here at Lord's during the final Test of a four-match series.
But ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement issued Monday: "The integrity of the game is of paramount importance.
"Prompt and decisive action will be taken against those who seek to harm it.
"However, the facts must first be established through a thorough investigation and it is important to respect the right of due process when addressing serious allegations of this sort.
"Make no mistake - once the process is complete, if any players are found to be guilty, the ICC will ensure that the appropriate punishment is handed out. We will not tolerate corruption in this great game," added Lorgat, who said the ICC were conducting their own enquries into the allegations.
Pakistan's tour is continuing with a one-day match against county side Somerset on Thursday and the players who have been under investigation could yet play in that fixture at Taunton and in the first of two Twenty20 internationals against England in Cardiff this coming Sunday.
Meanwhile Lorgat insisted: "The ICC, ECB and PCB are committed to a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket.
"All allegations of betting irregularities or fixing of matches or incidents within matches are investigated thoroughly by the ICC's internationally respected Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) and this case is no different."
The South African added: "Currently, senior ACSU investigators are in the United Kingdom conducting enquiries into the allegations directed at some Pakistan players during the recently concluded Test against England at Lord's.
"That investigation has the full support and co-operation of the ECB and PCB. In addition, ACSU officials are assisting London's Metropolitan Police with their criminal investigation.
"Led by Sir Ronnie Flanagan (the former Northern Ireland police chief) the ACSU is the most respected and experienced such unit in world sport and it has at its disposal a robust and far-reaching anti-corruption code that all ICC members support and are bound by."
The scandal broke when Britain's News of the World newspaper claimed last Sunday it had paid fixer Mazhar Majeed 150,000 pounds (230,000 dollars, 185,000 euros) for advance details of three Pakistan no-balls at Lord's as part of a sting operation.
Majeed, a 35-year-old who is an agent for several Pakistan players, was arrested by police on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers in the wake of the report but was released on bail late last Sunday.
Scotland Yard interviewed Pakistan captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal plus star strike bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif, who bowled the no-balls -- normally an accidental and unpredictable occurrence -- in question.
Butt, Asif and 18-year-old Aamer all had their mobile phones seized.
Pakistan lost the fourth Test by an innings and 225 runs -- their heaviest Test defeat -- and with it the series 3-1 at Lord's on Sunday.
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