ICC wants anti-corruption unit to talk to Shoaib

The ICC has said it would like its anti-corruption officers to talk to Shaoib Akhtar regarding his claims that he was offered money to underperform in matches in India and South Africa.

"We are aware of his comments and let me reiterate the ICC has a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in sports," an ICC spokesman told Reuters.

On Thursday Shoaib had told a Pakistan news channel that he had rejected many offers to underperform. "It happened in Johannesburg and India but I never accepted them as I can't betray my country," Shoaib said in an interview to Geo TV. "And what do I get in return - a five-year ban the example of which you don't get anywhere in the cricket world. Even players who were fined and found involved in match-fixing issues didn't get such bans."

Talat Ali, the Pakistan team manager, said he hadn't heard of any such offers to Shoaib. "He didn't report anything to me. This is the first I have heard about it."

The ICC Code of Conduct states that players are required to report any approach made to them by a bookmaker or any other corrupt approach to their captain, team manager, a senior board official or to the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit. Failing to do so could lead to ban of up to five years.