Match-fixing fears scuttled Abu Dhabi game

The ICC has revealed that the proposed exhibition tie between India and Pakistan in Abu Dhabi was not sancioned because of match-fixing fears. According to a Press Trust of India report Ehsan Mani, the ICC's president, said that the organisers of the event had bypassed the boards of both countries and directly contacted the players, which could have made match-fixing easier.

"Organisers' direct contacts with players could raise chances for match-fixing," Mani said, adding that the Anti-Corruption Unit had brought down such incidents significantly.

But the ICC's comments took BR Shetty - the president of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Control Board - by complete surprise, according to the Indian Express. "There was no problem when the ICC president Ehsan Mani and the Anti-Corruption Unit chief Lord Condon visited the stadium some time back. They were all praise then for the facilities and architecture. I fail to understand how such issues have been brought up now."

Shetty took a swipe at the ICC's oft-repeated intention to make cricket a global sport. "On the one hand they say their motto is to take the game far and wide, but on the other, they do not allow the inauguration of a world-class stadium."

The Abu Dhabi board's problems began when the BCCI rejected the proposal, sending plans for the match on May 14 into a tailspin, and giving rise to reports about a replacement World XI team. Even then, Shetty was upbeat about the prospects of salvaging the exhibition match. "We hope that by September everything would be settled and we will be able to host the Indian and Pakistani teams."

However, this time, Shetty is going by the book. He has sent the proposal directly to the two boards, instead of the players. "We have done exactly as the BCCI president has told us. We are now awaiting a reply."