Except India, no country tried to curb match-fixing: ACU report

The interim report of the International Cricket Council's Anti- Corruption Unit has said only India made whole-hearted efforts to curb match-fixing while all other cricket-playing countries dragged their feet despite evidence about the involvement of their players, a Pakistani newspaper has reported.

The interim report of the ACU, headed Paul Condon, which was handed over to Lord Griffiths, Chairman of ICC's Code of Conduct Commission two days ago, said only India has been seen making wholehearted efforts to curb match-fixing, the 'Dawn' newspaper said.

A number of countries including South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the West Indies have been dragging their feet despite increasing evidence that some of their leading players were involved in misconduct, it said.

The 'Dawn' however, did not disclose how it got the report nor did it attribute the report to any source. The ACU report would be made public on May 23, to make ICC members to pay more attention (to the problem), it said.

The report is said to have revealed that match-fixing is still rife in international cricket despite a year of allegations, admissions, inquiries and punishments. It is being whispered that the Condon panel has found that match-fixing occurred as recently as in the one-day series featuring Pakistan in New Zealand in March and April, it said.

Sacked coach Javed Miandad had also alleged match-fixing in the series which he later denied.

Condon and his team of former police officers are said to have concluded that some players, umpires and officials are so deeply involved with the criminal element they cannot stop co-operating for fear of their lives and property, the newspaper report said.

The ACU has reportedly not mentioned any player by name although it uncovered a great deal of evidence, particularly concerning South Africa and Pakistan, it said. Sir Paul may also ask for wider powers of investigation when the ICC Executive Board meets in London in June so that the ACU can take action against individual players, it said.