Condon to visit Pakistan after invitation from PCB

The ICC's chief investigator for corruption and match-fixing, Sir Paul Condon, is to visit Pakistan in the last week of May. CricInfo has learned that the Pakistan Cricket Board invited him during the ICC's last meeting in Melbourne.

Brig Munawar Rana, PCB Director, told CricInfo that as far as he knew no investigation was on the agenda. "Our stance throughout has been that we would cooperate with the ICC on all matters, including corruption and match-fixing investigations," he said.

When asked whether Sir Paul would be meeting those Pakistani cricketers named in the Indian Crime Branch's report (which was released last November, and on the basis of which a number of Indian cricketers, including former skipper Azharuddin, were banned for life) such as former captain Salim Malik, Brig. Rana responded that so far no such request had been made.

Nine foreign players were named in the Indian report.

A recent report emanating from India quoted Condon as saying that he would be interrogating some Pakistani players.

"In any case, if Condon requests such a meeting or meetings, our response would be positive and we would like to assist in any way we can. But since Salim Malik is not one of the contracted cricketers, we cannot make it mandatory for him to go through such a meeting," said Brig. Rana.

Sir Paul is currently touring Sri Lanka where he has interrogated former Sri Lankan captains, Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva.